The first step before starting the season

Checklist before you start the season and give the bumblebees a scare

What you will learn here

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

Last updated: xx/2/2021

Bumblebees PLUS - START

Introduction – Checking the readiness of the hive before settling it step by step

It's not rocket science - don't worry 🙂

Here is a list of basic checks that need to be done before you start populating your hive with a queen bee or populating it with a bumblebee nest (purchased or evacuated as part of the Bumblebee Rapid Rota).

The guide is intended for beginners, who should be helped before starting the first season.

In addition to the technical preparation at home, don't forget to announce that there will be no bees with you this year because you are becoming a bumblebee breeder = bombusophile.

Before populating the hive, verify that:

  1. You have chosen a suitable location for the hive .

  2. All work and repairs after the previous season are completed on time (repairs on a populated hive are done poorly (you will disturb its inhabitants and that is not good).

  3. If you used any paints or glues during the repairs, they should be completely dry and should not smell.

  4. The joint is free of cracks and seals .

  5. You have a ready and functional roof .

  6. You have a solution ready for attaching the hive – Stand – Hanger – Pedestal.

  7. You have a solution ready to prevent ants from entering the hive.

  8. a protective flap ready .

  9. an entrance hall ready .

  10. a functional bumblebee elevator ready .

  11. ventilation ready .

  12. an observation window ready if you want to use it.

  13. If you decide to use them, you also have additional elements such as a protective net and a ventilation attachment .

  14. Do you have a rag ready to drain moisture from the hive, or another alternative solution?

  15. of heat-retaining lining ready .

  16. cover of the protective flap ready .

  17. You have the tools and supplies ready to capture the queen bee and introduce her to the hive .

  18. You have the tools and supplies ready to perform inspections, maintenance, and interventions in the nest.

Work and repairs

  • Work and repairs to the hive after the season were described HERE

Paints and adhesives

  • It's important to avoid a situation where your scarecrow is perfectly prepared but smells of paint and glue.
  • Bumblebees are sensitive to odors and an intense foreign odor can deter them.
  • We recommend using paints and glues in a way that allows their odor to dissipate in time; for example, use paints in the fall and leave the glue to dry in a cool, dry place during the winter.
  • Ecological paints and paints used by beekeepers are suitable.
  • Acrylic paints are also suitable
  • Does not paint the interior of the hive
  • Learn more about hive paints and adhesives will be added as soon as possible >.

Sealed scare

  • All places through which parasites could enter the hive should be repaired and sealed.
  • These include joints, cracks, warped parts, seals between the roof and the hive body, and around ventilation.
  • It is best to seal cracks with a flexible acrylic/silicone sealant.
  • Forget about sealing with bread crumbs, as some websites suggest. Such a solution will more likely serve as food for insects.
  • Read more about hive sealing HERE 

Roof

  • The roof should fit well and seal perfectly.
  • The seal should not be damaged and there should be no gaps in it, even in its joints.
  • The seal should not be brittle – and must be flexible (see aging of foam seals).
  • The insulation board under the roof should be removable for the summer months (cooling option)
  • You can read more about the beehive roof HERE .

Beehive mounting – stand – hanger – pedestal

  • You know how the shelter will be placed and secured.
  • The shed will be stable and vibrations will not be transmitted to it.
  • You can easily access the hive for observation, inspection or intervention.
  • If necessary, the attachment is designed to allow the shock to be removed and taken to a location for inspection.
  • You can learn about the placement and attachment of the hive HERE
  • If you want to use the hive mount on a stand, use the solution described HERE.

A solution that prevents ants from entering the hive

  • The location and attachment of the hive is designed so that ants cannot enter the hive.
  • You can read more about protection against ants HERE .

Protective flap

  • The protective flap is well mechanically cleaned (fixed and moving parts).
  • It runs smoothly and does not jam.
  • The flap fits well over the entire surface.
  • The surfaces through which bumblebees enter the hive are roughened.
  • Shielding of the inlet opening (the stickers on the moving parts of the damper are well glued, be careful, some products require replacement with the correct sticker).
  • The flap is well attached and seals on the hive body.
  • The entire flap is functional.
  • You can read more about the protective flap HERE .

Entrance hall (tube)

  • The protective corridor has an internal diameter (clearance) of at least
  • The length of the corridor is designed to be curved and end in a corner.
  • The walkway is well secured so that it does not loosen during the season.
  • The corridor seals well in the hive body.
  • The corridor can be disconnected from the flap from the inside of the hive (pulled out of the hive body) and thus solve any possible blockage.
  • You can read more about the entrance hall HERE .

Bumblebee elevator

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

Ventilation

  • The ventilation hole in the hive is prepared including covering nets (aluminum) on both sides.
  • You have a mesh against Melittobia acasta applied to the ventilation hole.
  • You have applied an adhesive layer against parasites in the ventilation hole, or a solution with a ventilation attachment with such a solution is ready.
  • The ventilation is closable, for example it is equipped with a lid and you now have it closed.
  • The ventilation can be closed and seals well, no light shines into the hive.
  • Read more about ventilation HERE
  • If you have the opportunity, adjust your ventilation according to our instructions HERE

Observation window

  • If you have decided to use an observation window, you have it ready.
  • You have tried out how you will use it.
  • Read more about the observation window HERE

Additional elements such as protective net, ventilation attachment

  • If you have decided to use them, you have them ready.
  • You have tried out how you will use it.
  • Read more about the safety net HERE
  • Read more about the ventilation extension HERE
  • Check out the other gadgets included HERE

Moisture wicking cloth

  • You have a cloth ready to drain moisture, cut to the correct size (overhang from under the roof).
  • The roof can be easily fitted to the cloth and seals well.
  • Read more about the moisture wicking cloth will be added as soon as possible >.

Thermal lining

  • There are no long fibers in the lining.
  • The cavity is filled with a sufficient amount of padding (optimally ¾ of the volume).
  • The entrance hall opens into a "pocket" in the lining, but its opening is covered by the lining.
  • The lining does not cover the ventilation hole.
  • You have a supply of lining ready for possible replacement of the lining after intervention/inspection in the nest.
  • about thermal lining here

Protective flap cover

  • The protective flap roof is prepared as a fixed/removable part of the hive.
  • Read more about the protective flap canopy HERE
  • We recommend using the new protective flap cover, which we described HERE.

Tools and aids for capturing the queen bee and introducing her into the hive

  • You can find the list and their description HERE

Tools and aids for performing inspections, maintenance and interventions in the nest

  • You can find the list and their description HERE
Bumblebees PLUS - Protective equipment

Protective equipment "-)

 

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