Enhanced hive ventilation options without the risk of bumblebee parasite infestation
Ventilation attachment for a beehive
(roof not fitted)
Ventilation attachment
Inventor: Ondřej Hercog
Tested in practice: Since the 2018 season, with a total of 8 hives
Test results: verified, safe when following manufacturing recommendations and usage methodology
The group of breeders for whom the tool is suitable: Intermediate (at least 1 successful breeding season completed)
Justification Production requires adherence to procedure and precision. The application of the aid to the hive is tied to external climatic conditions and the degree of colony development. (this is not a permanent hive aid)
What is a ventilation attachment and what is it used for?
The ventilation attachment is an accessory part for bumblebee hives. It is a frame with ventilation holes that is inserted under the roof of the hive.
This raised roof will allow the hive to ventilate, remove excess moisture and thus limit mould formation in the nest. Thanks to netting on the ventilation openings, parasites will not enter the hive.
Startle with ventilation attachment fitted
(all photos by Ondřej Hercog)
How to make an attachment?
This is a simple wooden construction made of planed laths/boards – a frame with a covering board on top. The frame structure follows the outline of the beehive body, onto which the roof is then placed.
This can be solved by creating a frame from laths to form vents approximately 1–2cm high. It's less labour-intensive to drill/cut openings into the frame.
Slatted vent attachment.
The joints are glued and supplemented with screws.
The vents should be positioned so that the roof laid on the frame does not obstruct ventilation.
Cover the frame from above with the board, which you should glue and secure with screws. No gap is to be left anywhere!
The top side of the cover extension is closed with a plywood board.
Now paint the extension from the inside, preferably black with a dark colour. This will ensure that the bumblebees cannot see the light under the roof.
The circumference of the extension, where the ventilation openings are made, cover with netting made of Uhelonu 53S. Then cover it with fine aluminium mesh so that the Uhelon 53S bumblebees cannot gnaw through.
The ventilation shafts are covered with Uhelon 53S and then a fine aluminium mesh.
I make advantageous use of the push-in terminals.
The frame is then lined with thin wooden strips so that the netting sits well.
If you are not using a protective mesh on the hive, I recommend covering the ventilation openings with mesh from the inside as well.
Under the super, I recommend having a protective mesh; this increases the hive's protection against parasites.
The protective mesh is fitted to the hive permanently.
You can use a stapling gun, for example, to fasten the netting. Make sure the netting adheres perfectly to the frame everywhere!
Now frame the box with wooden strips. These will press the netting well and seal any gaps. Secure the strips with countersunk screws.
On the underside of the brood box, add a rebate so that the rebate extends beyond the bottom edge of the brood box. This will make it stable on the hive and prevent it from sliding off.
Ventilation attachment – detail of the underside with a strip and seal.
Fit a soft seal to the bottom edge of the extension. Use the same seal as used when making the protective mesh (Tesa / fan seal). This will ensure the extension fits snugly and sits well on the hive.
View of the ventilation cowl from underneath.
The interior surfaces are painted with a matt black acrylic paint.
The seating surfaces are fitted with soft seals (here, seals for fans).
The strip around the perimeter will ensure that the extension from the hive does not slide off.
Inspect the super. There should be no gaps where parasites could get into the hive. Pay attention to the details; they determine success.
Technical drawing of the construction
Alternative version of the attachment
Instead of battens, I used planed boards and drilled holes into them.
Foam seal 5mm, but it has a lifespan of approx. 1 year.
How and when to use an attachment.
The extension serves well if used correctly. Otherwise, it could harm the nest.
We recommend using the add-on in conjunction with hive mesh!
We recommend using only for the time strictly necessary to allow moisture to escape.
We do not recommend using the add-on when the outside temperature is below 18°C or above 30°C.
When the mother is settling in, or when the nest is weak, there is no need to ventilate the nest. Using an extension would more likely disturb the nest's inhabitants.
The super is therefore well-suited for a strong colony during periods of moderate temperatures, or when mould is starting to form in the hive. I also use the super in autumn, when moisture condenses in the hive due to temperature fluctuations and needs to be eliminated.
On a hot summer day, I use the supers at night, when the hive can be ventilated to lower the temperature inside.