To properly install a Triangle Escape Board, place it directly between the main hive body (brood chamber) and the honey supers you intend to harvest. You must position the board so that the triangle side faces down toward the brood nest, and you must verify that all hive entrances located above the board are completely closed.
The Triangle Escape Board functions as a mechanical one-way gate, allowing bees to leave the honey supers but preventing their return. For this mechanism to work, the "triangle" maze must face the direction of the destination (the brood box), and the supers must be sealed against re-entry.
Correct Placement and Orientation
To ensure the board effectively clears bees from your honey supers, you must adhere to a specific vertical order within the hive stack.
Position in the Stack
The board acts as a separator. It must be placed directly on top of your brood chamber (or the main hive body where you want the bees to congregate).
Handling the Honey Supers
All honey supers containing the frames you wish to harvest should be stacked directly on top of the escape board.
The "Triangle Down" Rule
The most critical step in installation is orientation. The side of the board featuring the triangle design (the maze and mesh mechanism) must face downward.
If installed upside down, the one-way mechanism will be reversed. This would trap bees inside the supers rather than allowing them to escape into the brood chamber.
Securing the Hive Environment
Installation is not complete simply by placing the board; you must also manage the hive's external access points to ensure the system works.
Closing Upper Entrances
You must inspect the honey supers for any auxiliary entrances, such as auger holes or gaps in the covers.
Preventing Re-entry and Robbing
These upper entrances must be sealed shut. If left open, field bees will fly back into the supers, or robber bees from other hives may enter to steal the unguarded honey, rendering the escape board useless.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While the Triangle Escape Board is a highly effective mechanical solution, it operates differently than chemical methods like fume boards.
Operational Speed
Unlike fume boards which work in minutes, escape boards generally require time to work. You typically install the board and leave it for a period (often 24 hours) to allow the bees to naturally navigate the maze down to the brood nest.
Weather Independence
A major advantage of this installation is its reliability in various weather conditions. Because it does not rely on solar heat to vaporize a chemical repellent, the Triangle Escape Board is the superior choice for harvesting during shady, cloudy, or cooler conditions.
Ensuring a Successful Harvest
Summary for applying this method based on your specific beekeeping context:
- If your primary focus is harvesting in poor weather: Rely on the Triangle Escape Board as it functions effectively without the sun or heat required for fume boards.
- If your primary focus is chemical-free beekeeping: Use this mechanical method to clear supers without introducing repellents or strong odors to the hive.
- If your primary focus is speed: Acknowledge that this method requires two trips to the apiary—one to install the board, and a second to remove the cleared supers.
Success relies on the simple logic of gravity and geometry: place the triangle down, seal the top, and let the bees naturally move to the brood nest.
Summary Table:
| Installation Aspect | Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Between brood chamber and honey supers | Separates harvestable honey from the colony center |
| Orientation | Triangle-side facing DOWN | Ensures the one-way maze allows bees to exit the supers |
| Upper Entrances | Must be completely sealed | Prevents field bees from re-entering or robbing honey |
| Wait Time | Typically 24 hours | Allows bees to naturally navigate through the board |
| Condition | Works in all weather | Independent of heat/sun required by chemical methods |
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