The first step before you start the season

Checklist before you start your season and offer bumblebee houses

What you will learn here

  • What not to forget
  • What to check
  • How to proceed

Last updated: 22/02/2021

Bumblebees PLUS - START

Introduction – Step-by-step readiness check before occupying a hive

It's not rocket science – don't worry about anything 🙂

Here is a list of basic checks to perform before you begin populating your bait hive with a queen, or before you occupy it with a bumblebee nest (purchased or evacuated as part of the Bumblebee Rapid Response Team).

The guide is intended for beginners and should help them before the start of their first season.

As well as preparing technically at home, please remember to announce that you won't be doing anything with them this year, as you are becoming a bumblebee breeder = bombusophile.

Before settling the hive, verify that:

  1. You have selected appropriately Ulcer location.

  2. All Works and repairs After the previous season, they are completed on time (repairs on an inhabited hive are done badly (you will disturb its inhabitants and that is not good).

  3. If you used any on the frame during the repairs colours or adhesives, it should be perfectly dry And it shouldn't smell.

  4. The bolt is without cracks and good tight.

  5. Do you have it ready and working roof.

  6. Máte připraven? Solutions for hive mounting – Stand – Hanger – Base.

  7. Do you have a solution ready that will prevent ants from entering to the glen.

  8. Do you have it ready protective flap.

  9. Do you have it ready entrance hall.

  10. Máte připraven? functional bumblebee lift.

  11. Have you got ready Ventilation.

  12. Have you got ready observation window, to use it.

  13. If you've decided to use them, do you also have the supplementary elements ready, such as protective netting, ventilation attachment.

  14. Máte připraven? Drain for moisture removal from the larder, or any other alternative solution.

  15. Do you have enough heat-retaining linings.

  16. Do you have protective equipment ready? protective flap cover.

  17. Are you ready Tools and aids for queen capture and introduction into the hive.

  18. Are you ready Tools and aids for carrying out inspections, maintenance, and interventions in the nest.

Work and repairs

  • Work and repairs to the pier after the season have been described  HERE

Paints and glues

  • It is important to avoid a situation where your surprise is perfectly prepared, but smells of paint and glue.
  • Bumblebees are sensitive to smells and intense foreign odours can deter them.
  • We recommend using paints and glues so that their smell dissipates in good time; for example, use paints in autumn and leave the varnish to dry in a cool, dry place during winter.
  • Eco-friendly paints and paints used by beekeepers are suitable.
  • Acrylic paints are also suitable
  • Don't paint the interior of a cottage
  • Find out more about colours and honeycomb glues Will be supplemented as soon as possible.

Sealed fright

  • All entry points for parasites into the hive should be repaired and sealed.
  • This is about gaps, cracks, warped parts, seals between the roof and the hive body, around ventilation.
  • Cracks should be well sealed with a flexible acrylic/silicone sealant.
  • Forget sealing with breadcrumbs, as written on some websites. Such a solution is more likely to serve as food for insects.
  • You can read more about the ulcer seal. HERE 

Roof

  • The roof should fit well and seal perfectly.
  • The seal should not be damaged, nor should there be any gaps in it, not even at its joints.
  • The seal should not be brittle – and must be flexible (see ageing of foam seals).
  • The insulation board under the roof should be removable during the summer months (for cooling).
  • You can read more about the beehive roof. HERE.

Hive mounting – stand – Hinge – Base

  • You know how the alarm will be placed and secured.
  • The housing will be stable and will not transmit vibrations.
  • The ulcer is comfortably accessible for observation, checks, or intervention.
  • If necessary, the fixture is designed so that the unit can be removed and taken to a location for inspection.
  • The placement and attachment of the hive HERE
  • If you want to use the reel holder on the stand, use the described solution HERE

A solution to prevent ants from entering the beehive

  • The positioning and fixing of the hive are designed so that ants cannot enter it.
  • You will find out more about ant protection. HERE.

Protective flap

  • The protective flap has been thoroughly cleaned mechanically (fixed and movable parts).
  • It runs smoothly and doesn't jam.
  • The hatch seats well across its entire surface.
  • The surfaces through which bumblebees enter the hive are roughened.
  • Shielding of the inlet opening (stickers on the movable part of the flap are well-applied, note some products require replacement with correct stickers).
  • The lid is well-attached and seals onto the hive body.
  • The entire flap is functional.
  • You can read more about the protective flap. HERE.

Entrance hall (pipe)

  • The protective corridor has an internal diameter (clearance) of at least
  • The length of the corridor is designed to be bent and finished at a corner.
  • The corridor is well secured so that it does not come loose during the season.
  • The corridor seals well within the hive's body.
  • The duct can be detached from the flap from the inside of the casing (pulled out of the casing) and its potential blockage can thus be addressed.
  • You will read more about the entrance hall HERE.

Bumblebee lift

  • Have you tried the bumblebee lift and its use? It's better to do it before the season starts.
  • The bumblebee lift does not catch on the entrance tunnel so that the nest can be removed from the hive.
  • You can read more about the bumblebee lift HERE

Ventilation

  • The ventilation opening in the hive is prepared, including mesh covers (aluminium) on both sides.
  • You have netting against Melittobia acasta applied to the ventilation opening.
  • You have a sticky layer applied to the ventilation opening to prevent pests, or a ready-made solution with an attachment for ventilation with such a solution.
  • The ventilation is sealable, for example, it is equipped with a cap and you currently have it closed.
  • The ventilation can be closed and seals well, no light shines into the hive.
  • You can read more about ventilation HERE
  • If you have the opportunity, adjust the ventilation according to our instructions provided. HERE

Observation window

  • If you have decided to use the viewing window, you have it ready.
  • You tried it out to see how you would use it.
  • You can read more about the inspection hatch HERE

Additional elements such as protective mesh, ventilation attachment

  • If you've decided to use them, you have them ready.
  • You tried it out to see how you would use it.
  • You can read more about the protective netting. HERE
  • You can read more about the ventilation attachment HERE
  • Take a look at the other great features listed HERE

Drain for moisture removal

  • Do you have a damp cloth ready, cut to the correct size (overhanging from under the roof)?.
  • The roof can be fitted to the tarpaulin well and it seals well.
  • You can read more about drainage boards <HERE – Will be supplemented as soon as possible.

Thermal lining

  • There are no long fibres in the lining.
  • The shock absorber is filled with sufficient padding (optimally ¾ of the volume).
  • The entrance opens into a „pocket“ in the lining, but its opening is covered by the lining.
  • The lining does not cover the vent.
  • You have a stock of bedding ready for potential replacement after an intervention / inspection in the nest.
  • Regarding the heat-retaining lining You can read more here

Protective flap cover

  • The cover of the protective flap is designed as a fixed / removable part of the casing.
  • You can read more about the protective flap cover. HERE
  • We recommend using the new protective flap cover that we have described. HERE

Tools and aids for catching the queen bee and introducing her to the hive

  • The list and their descriptions can be found HERE

Tools and equipment for carrying out inspections, maintenance and interventions in the nest

  • The list and their descriptions can be found HERE
Bumblebees PLUS - Protective Equipment

Protective equipment

 

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