Common mistakes

Common mistakes

Corridor like a cavity in a hive: (partition between the nesting space and the exit from the hive). You might encounter it with some products and old recommendations.
Why not: Bumblebees perceive this space as „a place out in the open“ and happily defecate there, or bring dead bodies or poorly developing larvae to it. The whole space thus attracts parasites. Due to its great height, it allows parasites to hide easily. For the keeper, this narrow yet tall space is very difficult to access. Cleaning, inspection and repairs are complicated and often cannot even be carried out on the 100%. Furthermore, due to the high ceiling, the established queen loses the sense of security provided by the corridor.  

Corridor with an internal diameter smaller than 25mm. Some products even have an internal diameter of just 14mm.
Why not: The risk of complete blockage of the passage by waste, a dead individual. Possibility of nest collapse if not recognised and dealt with promptly by the keeper. During the full development of the colony, a blockage forms in the tube, which leads to the exhaustion of workers and unnecessary losses of pollen, which become passage waste, and the situation further deteriorates. The risk that new queens and males will not be able to get out in time and genetically unsuitable mating of born queens and males (siblings...) inside the hive will occur.

Unsuitable bedding material, compacted bedding, nest with a shallow layer or no bedding at all.

The purpose of the lining is to maintain the nest's microclimate. Without it, or if the principles outlined in the chapter on linings are violated, the nest is immediately threatened in the early stage by hypothermia, after which the queen will subsequently stop caring for the nest and eventually abandon it altogether after some time. In the later stage, there is a risk of overheating of the larvae, developmental damage, and the death of bumblebees in the hive. The lining functionally insulates the nest and thus also directly influences the maintenance of the queen's pheromone trail. Without it, the tipping point is reached more quickly, and the nest ages and dies faster. 

The use of clay, sand, wood shavings, sawdust. Such material is sprinkled into the nest. The use of paper, grass, hay. All the materials listed here have almost no or very poor insulating properties. In addition, the listed materials are often a source of nest contamination and contribute to the development of mould.

The use of horsehair, dog hair and similar fur. Such material, after being cut, turns into stiff spikes and harms bumblebees – we have tested this. If left in its original form, it is too long and there is a risk of bumblebees getting stuck in it. Another disadvantage of these materials is that along with the fur, you often bring moths and insects that feed on skin and fur remnants into the hive. These creatures do not pose any danger to the bumblebees, but the beekeeper's nerves are at risk – you are then faced with the question of identifying the species of parasite or its larva, and whether it is therefore a parasite or just a hive cohabitant...

Using pure cotton wool – that's just dangerous fibres. 

Use of synthetic materials. Bumblebees process the lining. However, these materials are not capable of processing and can result in their premature death.

Inappropriate placement of a beehive in sunlight / draughts, inaccessible locations, etc. Heed our advice regarding the correct choice of location. What may appear as a slightly sunny and almost ideal spot in March could become a veritable oven for bumblebees in a few months… When placing the hive, also consider the future – vegetation growth, planned garden modifications…. Once inhabited, it is no longer possible to change the hive's position during the season; the bumblebees would return to their original spot.