To properly use a Triangle Bee Escape Board, you must place it directly below the honey super you intend to remove. The board must be oriented with the triangle side facing down, pointing toward the main brood boxes of the hive. This creates a one-way exit for the bees, allowing them to leave the honey super but preventing them from re-entering.
The core principle is simple: the bee escape board acts as a one-way gate. By placing it correctly, you leverage natural bee behavior to passively and gently clear the honey super over a 24-hour period, preparing it for a stress-free harvest.
The Principle of the One-Way Gate
Understanding why this placement works is key to using the tool effectively. The board is not a repellent; it's a passive maze that guides bees in a single direction.
How Bees Navigate Barriers
When honey bees are walking along a surface and encounter a barrier, they have a natural tendency to turn right to navigate around it.
The Triangle's Ingenious Design
The triangular escape mechanism is designed like a small maze. Bees can easily travel down from the honey super and exit through the openings at the points of the triangle.
However, when they try to return, their tendency to turn right leads them away from the exit holes, effectively trapping them out of the super and encouraging them to stay in the brood boxes below.
The Correct Placement: A Step-by-Step Guide
Proper installation is non-negotiable for the board to function. A single mistake can render it ineffective.
Step 1: Position in the Hive Stack
The bee escape board is placed between two sections of the hive. It goes directly above the brood boxes and directly below the honey super (or supers) you plan to harvest.
This encourages the bees to move down into the main living quarters of the hive, where the queen and brood reside.
Step 2: Critical Orientation
The board must be positioned with the triangle side facing down. This means the escape mechanism should be pointing towards the brood chamber.
If placed upside down, you will trap the bees inside the honey super instead of letting them out.
Step 3: Seal All Upper Entrances
This is a frequently missed but vital step. Before leaving the board to do its work, you must ensure there are no other entrances into the honey super.
If there are any cracks, gaps, or upper hive entrances above the escape board, foraging bees will simply use those to re-enter the super, defeating the purpose of the one-way gate.
Understanding the Trade-offs and Timing
Using a bee escape board is an excellent method, but it's important to understand its specific characteristics and limitations.
A Passive and Gentle Method
Unlike using a fume board or brushing bees off frames, the escape board is a completely passive system. It causes minimal stress and disruption to the colony.
The 24-Hour Window
This method is not immediate. It typically takes up to 24 hours for the majority of the bees to find their way out of the super. You must install the board the day before you plan to harvest.
Effectiveness Rate
You can expect the board to clear approximately 95% of the bees from the super. It is normal to find a few stragglers who have not yet found the exit. These can be gently brushed off during harvesting.
Making the Right Choice for Your Harvest
Use this guidance to determine if this method fits your immediate goal.
- If your primary focus is a calm, stress-free harvest: The Triangle Bee Escape Board is the ideal tool, as it minimizes disruption to the colony.
- If your primary focus is harvesting honey immediately: This method is not suitable, as it requires a 24-hour waiting period. You would need to manually brush bees from each frame instead.
By correctly positioning the bee escape board, you ensure an efficient and peaceful harvest for both you and your bees.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position in Hive Stack | Place board directly below the honey super to be removed, above the brood boxes. |
| 2 | Critical Orientation | Triangle side must face down, pointing towards the brood chamber. |
| 3 | Seal Upper Entrances | Ensure no other entrances exist above the board to prevent bees from re-entering. |
| 4 | Wait | Allow 24 hours for the passive, one-way gate to clear approximately 95% of the bees. |
Ready for a Calmer, More Efficient Harvest?
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Contact HONESTBEE today to discuss your wholesale needs and equip your operation for a stress-free season.
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