In short, Triangular Escape Boards are available in two standard sizes. These are designed to fit either an 8-frame or a 10-frame Langstroth beehive, ensuring a proper seal for the board to function correctly.
The core issue isn't the variety of sizes, but selecting the one that perfectly matches your hive equipment. A mismatched size will create gaps, defeating the board's entire purpose of clearing bees from honey supers.
How a Triangular Escape Board Works
The Principle of One-Way Travel
A Triangular Escape Board is a simple but ingenious tool for beekeepers. It functions as a one-way exit for bees.
The board has a triangular-shaped passage on its underside. Bees can easily travel down and out through this passage but find it nearly impossible to navigate their way back up.
The Goal: Clearing Honey Supers
The primary use for this board is to gently clear bees from honey supers before a harvest.
You place the board between the honey supers you intend to harvest and the brood boxes below. The bees in the supers naturally move down into the brood chamber to be near the queen and brood, but they cannot return.
This process typically takes 24 to 48 hours, leaving you with honey boxes that are mostly free of bees, making the harvest much less disruptive for the colony.
Why Matching the Frame Size is Critical
The Importance of a Perfect Seal
A Triangular Escape Board must sit flush on top of the hive body, with no gaps around the edges.
An 8-frame board is designed for an 8-frame hive, and a 10-frame board is for a 10-frame hive. Using the wrong size creates spaces where bees can bypass the one-way escape, rendering the tool ineffective.
Correct Placement and Orientation
For the board to work, it must be oriented correctly.
Always place the board with the triangle side facing down, towards the brood boxes. This orientation allows the bees to exit the supers above and move down into the main part of the hive.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Benefit: A Gentle Harvest
The main advantage of using an escape board is that it provides a calm, gentle method for clearing supers. It avoids the use of chemical repellents (fume boards) or the aggressive disruption caused by brushing or blowing bees off frames.
The Drawback: Time and Planning
The primary trade-off is time. You must install the escape board at least a day or two before you plan to harvest.
This requires planning and an extra trip to your bee yard. If a sudden weather change occurs, you may have to adjust your schedule accordingly. It is not a method for on-the-spot harvesting.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure you get the right equipment, you simply need to match the board to your existing hive bodies.
- If your primary focus is harvesting from an 8-frame hive: You must purchase an 8-frame Triangular Escape Board.
- If your primary focus is harvesting from a 10-frame hive: You must purchase a 10-frame Triangular Escape Board.
Selecting the correct size is the single most important factor for this tool to function as intended.
Summary Table:
| Frame Size | Compatible Hive Type | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 8-Frame | 8-Frame Langstroth Hive | Must fit snugly to prevent gaps that allow bees to bypass the escape. |
| 10-Frame | 10-Frame Langstroth Hive | Ensures a proper seal for effective one-way bee removal from honey supers. |
Ensure a gentle, effective honey harvest with the right equipment.
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Get the correctly sized Triangular Escape Board for your operation — Contact HONESTBEE today to discuss your wholesale needs!
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