To correctly position a Triangle Bee Escape Board, place the device directly between the brood chamber and the honey supers you intend to harvest. The most critical detail regarding orientation is that the flat surface must face up, while the triangle side (the maze) must face down toward the bottom of the hive.
By positioning the maze side downward, the board functions as a passive, one-way valve. It utilizes the bees' natural tendency to turn right when encountering barriers, guiding them out of the honey supers while physically preventing their re-entry.
The Mechanics of Proper Alignment
The Importance of Orientation
The effectiveness of the escape board hinges entirely on the direction of the triangle. The triangle side must face down toward the brood box to allow bees to descend out of the supers.
If the board is installed upside down (triangle facing up), bees will be trapped inside the honey super. This renders the tool useless and prevents you from clearing the frames for harvest.
Strategic Placement in the Stack
The board acts as a separator. It should be sandwiched between the main hive body (where the queen and brood reside) and the honey supers above.
This placement ensures that as bees leave the honey stores to return to the cluster or exit the hive, they pass through the escape and cannot return.
Critical Installation Steps
Securing the Hive
Once the board is inserted, you must ensure that all upper entrances are closed.
If there are holes or gaps in the supers above the escape board, robber bees may enter to steal honey, or the colony's bees may simply bypass the escape mechanism.
Timing Your Harvest
Unlike active removal methods, this is a passive tool that requires patience. After installation, leave the hive undisturbed for approximately 24 hours or overnight.
This duration allows the natural movement of the colony to clear the supers effectively without forcing the bees out.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Passive vs. Active Removal
The primary trade-off with a Triangle Bee Escape Board is time versus effort. While it requires two trips to the apiary (one to install, one to harvest), it eliminates the need for manual brushing or blowing bees off frames.
Weather Independence
This method is superior to fume boards in specific weather conditions. Because it relies on mechanical movement rather than chemical evaporation, it remains highly effective in cloudy or shady conditions where solar-powered fume boards often fail.
Safety and Aggression
Using this board significantly reduces the risk of stings. By avoiding the use of strong-smelling chemicals and minimizing direct interaction during comb removal, you keep the colony calm and lower the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure you get the best results from your harvest, consider these priorities:
- If your primary focus is a chemical-free harvest: Rely on the Triangle Escape Board to clear bees without using smelly repellents that can distress the colony.
- If your primary focus is minimizing stings: Utilize this method to avoid direct confrontation with the bees, as the supers will be mostly empty when you return to collect them.
Correct positioning is the difference between a box full of bees and a hassle-free honey harvest.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Correct Setup | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Triangle (maze) side facing down | Functions as a one-way valve for bees |
| Placement | Between brood chamber and honey supers | Separates bees from the harvest area |
| Timeframe | 24 hours / Overnight | Allows bees to vacate naturally |
| Entrance Status | All upper entrances closed | Prevents robbing and bypass entry |
| Environment | Works in shade/clouds | Not dependent on sun or chemicals |
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