Leonard Riepenhoff
We install dual pane windows to keep our homes cooler in warm weather, and warmer in cold weather, why not do the same for your bees?
Build a wood frame 16.25” x 20” x 1” or thicker, for your 10 frame supers. See diagram.
Put a piece of clear plastic lens above the bottom with a space around ¼” (this keeps the bees below the lens and leaves them enough room to move under the lens), you can cut holes in the lens so you can feed the bees with a jar of Syrup. Top feeding bees lets them feed without going outside and this also helps discourage robber bees.
Placing a second lens on top of the frame will make it a dual pane inner cover. Cut ½” deep saw cuts for the bottom lens on the inside of each of the side boards. This provides more ventilation. Be sure width of saw cuts are wider than your lens thickness.
In hot weather, you can place some window screen over the feeder holes on top of the lower lens for even more ventilation and opening your top cover an inch or more so the screens will have a better chance to let the air circulate. If the bees propolis the screens shut, they probably don’t need more ventilation. Lack of ventilation would be a big problem, too much is seldom a problem.
In cold weather, covering the feeder holes (with a 4” x 4” piece of plastic works fine) on the lower lens and then place the top lens on making your inner cover a dual pane inner cover. Of course, in warmer weather remove the top lens.
You and your friends can now look at your bees without disturbing them, and not be concerned about getting stung, as your bees are under the lens.
Another great feature in the spring is when the bees start putting wax on the bottom of the lower lens, this is a sign you should install a honey super. See “Craigs list” for more information.
Using a single edge razor blade to clean off any wax or propolis that is on the lens helps and using some floor wax removal spray after does a good job cleaning the lens. Of course, you remove it from the colony before cleaning it.
Leonard Riepenhoff, Santa Rosa, CA
Any questions phone: 707 525-8424 Saturdays 10 AM -12 NOON pacific coast time
