Traps against parasites in the vent
Introduction
Mr. Miroslav Stuchl, a well-known bumblebee guru (now unfortunately already in bumblebee heaven), designed and described ventilation with a parasite trap.
This solution has developed into several variants, which we describe. As the Čmeláci PLUS group, we pay attention to this important part of the hive (the bumblebee), because a good solution will significantly reduce the threat of parasites entering the hive.
We are also glad that some manufacturers listened to us, modified the ventilation holes according to our recommendations (UHELON53S and aluminum mesh) and that the mentioned modifications are useful to you.
Although the largest beehive manufacturer in the Czech Republic does not list us as the authors, it uses these solutions and that is essential. Other manufacturers also use them and so beehives for bumblebees are gradually being improved.
We do not copyright our improvements and we make them available for free. We consider it polite to list the authors and we are glad that at least some manufacturers consider it normal.
Ventilation principle with protection against parasites
The principle proposed by Mr. Miroslav Stuchl is that the best way to create ventilation in the hive is as a tube that connects the interior of the hive with the surrounding environment.
Close the tube at the ends with a grid/net so thick that even small bumblebee workers cannot get through.
You make a hole in the net on the outside (outside the hive) and insert a tube (straw) into it. large enough for parasites to pass through when they are looking for a way into the hive. Parasites that enter the hive are stopped by the inner net. Thanks to the tube in the outer net, they cannot find a way out.
Mr. Stuchl also described the possibility of using bumblebee honey as an attractant and at the same time as glue for small larvae inside the trap.
The original scheme was described in the book "Breeding and Support of Bumblebees in Gardens and in the City" (collective of authors) and is presented here with the author's permission.
Ventilation protection according to M. Stuchl
Modifications proposed by the Bumblebees PLUS group
We used this solution and modified it by providing the inner space of the tube with a sticky layer . Jaromír Ćížek came up with this solution.
Thanks to this, the parasite that enters the ventilation gets caught on the sticky layer. In the same way, small parasite larvae that hatch from eggs laid on the ventilation mesh get caught here.
Pavel Fereš also came up with the same solution, and Jaromír Čížek uses a similar one.
Thanks to the discovery of a technical mesh with the right density ( UHELON53S ), the safety of ventilation has been further increased. If a parasite were to fly through the tube, the fine mesh at the end – UHELON – will catch it.
You can find information about UHELON and the technical report from its measurements in Karel Kučera's post HERE ( we are preparing to publish it ).
We also found that bumblebees can chew through plastic mesh, so we replaced it with fine aluminum mesh (available at hobby stores) - see photos HERE .
Ventilation with a sticky trap
If a parasite decides to enter a hive and breed there, nothing will deter it from its decision. It will look for a way into the hive until it succeeds. It will try to do this through cracks, imperfect sealing under the roof, ventilation or a protective flap that may not be well closed. The parasite will do anything to succeed. Therefore, it is advisable to let it enter a trap while searching and catch it here
Examples of parasites that ventilation with a sticky trap will catch:
- Bumblebee Warbler – Aphomia sociella
- parasitic fly – Brachycoma devia
- (Volucella bombylans)
- parasitic wasp – Melittobia acasta
Thoughts – if your pets were attacked by their natural enemy, would you just watch and let things happen? Does stopping the attacking parasite seem inhumane to you?
We are not calling on anyone to eliminate parasites, because they also belong to nature and have an irreplaceable role. However, if they attack a hive with clear intent, it is good to protect its inhabitants.
You can learn more about parasites and enemies of bumblebees HERE ( coming soon ).
Material for creating an adhesive layer – Chemstop
Protection of hive ventilation (bumblebee)
Trapped parasites – flies and Melittobia acasta
Specific ventilation solution with trap
A) Basic ventilation adjustments for beginners
B) Simple solution by Jaromír Čížek
- Solution description
- What material to use
- How to make such a solution
- How ventilation is used
- Inspection and maintenance
- Limitations
A) Basic adjustments for beginners
The modifications were described HERE
Hive ventilation – outer mesh with a hole for trapping parasites and closing the ventilation.
A hole is cut out in the outer mesh and there is a sticky layer inside the ventilation.
Photo O. Hercog
B) Simple solution by Jaromír Čížek
Solution description
Mr. Čížek assumes that he will let the parasites enter the trap. The outer grid is so large that even a large female bumblebee wasp (Aphomia sociella) can get into the trap, which goes to the bumblebee nest to lay eggs (opening 3-4x15mm).
The large female is the greatest danger because she is capable of laying many eggs. If she did not enter the nest through ventilation, she would attack the entrance to the hive (bumblebee).
So it is better to let it pass through the trap, where it will get stuck on the sticky layer and will not be able to get out any further. Similarly, the larvae will not be able to pass through the sticky layer if they lay their eggs in the trap.
Other parasites will also get stuck here.
However, bumblebee workers cannot enter the trap - the grille at the ventilation entrance does not allow them to do so.
This solution is suitable for use when it is warm even at night and you leave the ventilation hole open.
It is not suitable in the spring, when you open and close the ventilation.
What material to use
- Transparent plastic foil. DUROFOL foil works well, but you can also use, for example, cut straight parts of a PET bottle
- A piece of foam pipe insulation (from a hobby store) – diameter e.g. 32 mm
- A piece of plastic mesh with windows measuring 5 x 1 5-20 mm (for example, a beekeeper's queen screen)
- Instant adhesive for plastic
- Stapler
- Transparent adhesive tape
- A piece of COAL53S
How to make such a solution
- You can equip the recess with a ventilation hole; choose the diameter depending on the diameter of your foam insulation pipes - a diameter of 32mm is suitable, for example
- Test that the insulation tube can be easily inserted into the ventilation hole and that it fits well and seals
- Cover the ventilation hole on the inside of the hive with a thick mesh (UHELON53S) and cover it with a fine aluminum mesh
- Attach the nets well to the inside of the hive body - for example with a frame, or attach them directly to the wood with a stapler and cover with adhesive tape so that neither bumblebees nor parasites can get through, see HERE
- Cut a strip of foil of such dimensions that it can be comfortably rolled into a tube, which will protrude about 5 cm after being inserted into the hive,
i.e. for a hive with a wall thickness of 3 cm and a hole diameter of 32 mm, it will be about 8 x 15-20 cm. - Cut a 2-3 cm long piece of foam insulation pipe
- Roll the plastic wrap around this piece of pipe and insert it into the vent; secure its shape by wrapping it with transparent tape or stapling it with a small stapler
- Cut a rectangular piece from the plastic grid so that it covers the front of the insulation pipe and so that the grid does not fall apart (it will simply be larger, but that doesn't matter)
- Glue the grid to the insulation pipe with superglue
- Wipe the inside of the roll with Chemstop – thoroughly and all around
- Insert the insulation tube with the grid into the plastic foil roll
- Then insert the whole into the ventilation hole of the hive
Attention – the trap must fit well in the ventilation hole and must not fall out!!!
Protection of hive ventilation (bumblebee) according to Jaromír Čížek
Forum J. Čížek
Hive ventilation protection
Grid glued to foam insulation tube insert
Roll of plastic film wiped with Chemstop
Protection of hive ventilation
Cut a strip of foil of such dimensions that a tube can be conveniently rolled out of it, which will protrude about 5 cm after being inserted into the hive.
Protection of the hive ventilation
Beekeeping queen screen – do not use a larger mesh size, workers could get into the ventilation
Hive ventilation protection
Glue the grid to the foam insulation tube
Hive ventilation protection Grid
on insulation pipe and roll of plastic foil
It is very important that the foil insert fits well in the ventilation hole.
Jaromír therefore uses a PET bottle, from which he twists a "tube" of several turns of foil. After inserting it into the ventilation hole, he sews it with a small stapler (on the part that is not inserted). Thanks to the expansion of the free part, the tube holds well in the ventilation.
Bumblebees PLUS – Protection of hive ventilation (bumblebee hive) according to Jaromír Čížek
Hive ventilation protection
Foam insulation pipes (hobby market) – choose according to the diameter of the hive ventilation hole
Hive ventilation protection
Durofol foil (ŘEMPO)
However, straight parts of PET bottles can also be used
How ventilation is used
When you start opening the hive's ventilation, start using the trap as well.
You insert it into the ventilation hole, from which you remove the outer mesh - we recommend testing it before populating the hive.
The trap will gradually catch parasites that tried to enter the nest through this.
Once you see that a large number of parasites are trapped in the trap, simply throw the trap away and replace it with a new one. There is no point in cleaning the trap, it would be a lot of work.
Maintenance and inspection
Check that the trap is holding in the vent and that it is not full.
If necessary, throw away the plastic roll and use a new one
Limitations
You need to make sure that the trap doesn't fall out - the scarecrow would be unprotected. If you have no other solution, stick the plastic film tube to the bullet with adhesive tape.
The trap should not be exposed to rain, as its effectiveness could be reduced and water could leak into the hive.
C) Ventilation from a PP pipe kit
Description
This is a solution from a construction kit of pipes and elbows, designed for wastewater. You can get all the parts at a hobby market or plumbing supplies store. You can also get the caps there. Complete the puzzle with a mesh made of UHELON53S and apply an adhesive layer to the inside.
This solution has the advantage that you can move the ventilation further away from the hive. This will also divert at least some of the parasites away from the hive - the smell of the nest will come out at a certain distance from the nest.
You can use the solution with or without a knee. The knee can be inside the hive or outside.
The elbow facing upwards in the hive reduces the possibility of bumblebees blocking the ventilation hole with the lining. On the other hand, this orientation makes the hive less ventilated. Therefore, we recommend using the elbow outside the hive
What material to use
Karel Kučera described the solution for long corridors and ventilation
Karel writes there: " We recommend the HT sewerage system (HTEM PP pipe). This is a water supply waste pipe system used, for example, to drain waste water from household sanitary equipment (sinks, etc.). The pipes have male-female ends, secured with a rubber band. HT fittings are available - elbows at angles of 15°, 30°, 45°, 67° and 87°, as well as couplings and blinds. The system allows for easy cleaning of both the corridor, the hive and the flap. It is also easy to store the components after the season ."
My colleague Karel has been using this system for several years and it has worked very well for him.
I had a similar solution for the entire 2019 season in a test hive and was satisfied.
I used a straight piece of PP pipe. The hole in the hive was finished with a combination of UHELON53S and aluminum mesh. The outer part of the pipe was closed with a lid from a 3D printer. The inside of the pipe was lined with sticky insect tape.
Bumblebees PLUS – Ventilation from PP pipes – simple
Photo O. Hercog
Ventilation from PP pipes – simple
Photo O. Hercog
L
Hive ventilation - external protection with a penetration trap Cover created on a 3D printer
Photo O Hercog
Using the same parts, Karel and I managed to put together a simple ventilation solution for you. The magic lies in the variability and in the fact that there are elegant lids for the kit and you don't have to look for 3D lids. But use them if you have your own printer.
Thanks to the lid from the 3D printer, you get a rectangular hole 3-4 x 15 mm,. This is convenient for the procession of the large mother bumblebee. The height of the hole in the lid should not exceed 4 mm so that the small bumblebee worker cannot pass through it.
How to make such a solution
It's really very easy!
We recommend choosing a combination of a straight section and a bend. This will achieve a good effect - light will not filter into the hive. Thanks to this, the workers/males will not look for a way out of the hive through this and the traffic in the hive will be smooth. 😊
You can buy the parts at a hobby store or plumbing supply store. In our case, a bend and a 90° straight piece 20-30 m long and a ventilation grille.
In our case, we used HTEM PP pipe DN 50 (outer diameter 50 mm) - elbow and straight piece .
In addition, a plug from the same system and a VM50B . This cap is a good and cheap replacement for the cap from a 3D printer.
At the same time, buy an electrician's plastic insulating tape for sealing (see our tool)
Note:
- You can use other diameters, but DN50 seems optimal for ventilation
- Try to see how the parts will fit together
- The cap will fit well in the straight section of the pipe, on the other side we will make a reducer (see instructions)
Procedure
- Choose a place in the upper part of the hive where the ventilation will be located = above the lining. The ventilation should not interfere with the roof, the hive suspension system, the surroundings. The optimal one is on the side
. Also, if you line the inside of the hive with a thermal insulation board made of polystyrene, e.g. 20 mm, the ventilation should not interfere with this board.
Note: If you are modifying the hive, we recommend removing the original ventilation and closing and sealing the opening after it (gluing wood, inserting polystyrene and covering it with a wooden patch made of good plywood). - Make a hole in the wall that the straight piece (tube) should fit into. If you work accurately , the tube will fit well in the hole and seal well.
Note: If you have thin walls in your hive (for example, double walls), consider reinforcing at least one of them. A square plate with a hole, screwed to the hive wall, is enough. - two rings 20-30 mm high from a straight section of pipe . Clean the cuts from burrs and smooth out sharp edges.
- Insert one ring into the elbow as a reducer - it should fit well and securely thanks to the seal
- Insert the cap into . If it does not fit securely in the reducer, remove it and seal it = wrap 2-3 turns of insulating tape.
Adjust the second cap in the same way and test how it fits in the straight part of the pipe. - Apply an adhesive layer after/before assembly into the hive:
a) wipe it with Chemstop (quick preparation but worse maintenance and cleaning)
b) use an adhesive insect tape (more difficult preparation but easy maintenance and cleaning) - If you use b) , then first cut the second ring and with the second cut cut another piece from it so that it can be inserted as an insert into the pipe (try it yourself)
- Insert the cut strip of adhesive foil rolled up into the tube into the tube - insert it from the side of the knee. Once you have placed the adhesive strip in place, secure it with the second ring (insert) that has been adjusted.
The insert ensures that the adhesive foil remains pressed against the inner wall of the tube.
You can also use a fly swatter with success and unroll the inside of the tube with it. The fly swatter holds its shape better. - We recommend making the adhesive layer long, the protection will be more effective . The layer must cover the entire circumference of the pipe to create a non-conductive strip for crawling parasites.
- Insert the straight part of the tube into the hole in the hive body and seal it well . You can use electrical tape (wrap the part and insert it into the hole) or seal the tube with a high-quality flexible sealant (silicone)
- After fixing the ventilation to the hive wall, cover the inner mouth of the tube with a piece of UHELON53S and insert the cap into the tube as a ventilation grid . Trim the rest of the mesh.
- Place the elbow with the second cap on the straight piece
- 2-3 mm hole in the plug
Please go through the photo instructions which will explain everything.
Ventilation of the hive from PP pipes
Required parts (one elbow is enough) < br /> Photo: Hercog
Ventilation of a hive made of PP pipes
Insert one ring into the elbow as a reducer - it should fit well and tightly thanks to the seal
Ventilation of a PP pipe
hive Insert the cap into the reducer. If it does not fit securely in the reducer, remove it and seal it with tape
Ventilation of a hive made of PP pipes
Once you have placed the adhesive strip in place, secure it with a modified second ring (insert).
Procedure for inserting the strip and insert - for a better understanding of the principle
Ventilation of a hive made of PP pipes
Place the adhesive strip in place from the side of the knee and secure it with the second ring (insert) adjusted.
Hive ventilation made of PP pipes
After fixing the ventilation to the hive wall, cover the inner mouth of the tube with a piece of UHELON53S and insert the ventilation grid into the tube
Ventilation of the hive from PP pipes
Put the elbow with the second cap on the straight piece
Ventilation of a hive made of PP pipes
Drill a 2-3 mm hole in the plug. The plug is used to close the ventilation from the outside (instead of the ventilation grid), for example in cold weather.
Hive ventilation made of PP pipes
Examples of installing ventilation in a hive
If you need a more complex shape – it's up to you (see example)
How ventilation is used
- Ventilation will allow air to circulate in the hive
- The ventilation grille will not allow even a small worker to enter the ventilation. At the same time, it will allow parasites to get through and they will get trapped in the sticky layer in the ventilation
Maintenance and inspection
- Occasionally check if the ventilation is well sealed and holds in the hive body
- Occasionally remove the ventilation grille/knee and check if the adhesive layer needs to be renewed
- It is best to carry out inspection/maintenance at dusk/at night so that a bumblebee does not fly into your ventilation.
Limitations
A longer pipe means pressure loss. So don't make the ventilation pipe longer than you really need.
D) Ventilation by Pavel Fereš
Pavel is a well-known bumblebee breeder in the Chrudim region. Pavel is also the author of electric bumblebees, which we describe HERE (in preparation).
Pavel has his own sophisticated solution for protecting hive ventilation.
It is essentially a double-sided trap, meaning that the parasites can enter from both sides. The trap consists of several parts that are inserted into each other. Several nets are inserted in the ventilation and some parts can be removed and cleaned while the hive is in operation. Inside the trap there are sticky layers of Chemstop.
The production of this solution is demanding, everything must fit together well. Therefore, we recommend the production of this ventilation only to passionate DIYers.
The ventilation is made of PP pipes, aluminum mesh and other parts.
Inside there is a sticky layer of Chemstop.
The entrance to the trap is double-sided from a plastic tube.
UHELON is not used.
Street ventilation according to Pavel Fereš
Photo P. Fereš
The white part contains the sticky trap from Chemstop.
The second sticky trap is in the knee.
The two parts are separated by a mesh that allows the white part to be removed and yet prevents parasitic bumblebees from entering the hive.
Street ventilation according to Pavel Fereš
Photo P. Fereš
Street ventilation according to Pavel Fereš
Photo P. Fereš