The Bee Escape Board is a simple yet effective tool used by beekeepers to separate bees from honey supers without causing stress to the colony. It works passively, allowing bees to exit the honey super but preventing them from re-entering. When placed correctly under the honey supers with the triangle side facing down, it can remove about 95% of the bees, making honey extraction easier and less disruptive. This method is preferred for its non-invasive nature and high success rate in clearing bees from the supers.
Key Points Explained:
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Passive Separation Method
- The Bee Escape Board operates passively, meaning it doesn’t require active intervention like smoking or brushing bees off the frames.
- Bees naturally move downward through the board but cannot find their way back up, effectively clearing the honey super over time.
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High Efficiency (95% Removal Rate)
- The board is highly effective, removing approximately 95% of bees from the honey supers.
- This reduces the need for additional manual removal, saving time and minimizing bee stress.
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Correct Placement (Triangle Side Down)
- Proper placement is crucial: the board must be installed under the honey supers with the triangle side facing downward.
- This orientation ensures bees exit the super but cannot re-enter, as the one-way design funnels them out.
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Non-Invasive and Low-Stress
- Unlike manual methods (e.g., bee brushes or blowers), the escape board avoids agitating the colony.
- It aligns with sustainable beekeeping practices by prioritizing bee welfare during honey harvesting.
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Time Considerations
- Best results are achieved when left overnight, as bees naturally migrate downward to the brood chamber.
- For faster results, some beekeepers combine it with minimal smoking to encourage movement.
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Limitations
- A small percentage (5%) of bees may remain, requiring gentle brushing or shaking for complete clearance.
- Not ideal for urgent harvests, as it relies on bees’ natural behavior rather than forced removal.
By using the Bee Escape Board, beekeepers can efficiently and ethically prepare honey supers for extraction while maintaining colony health. Have you considered how this tool compares to other bee-clearing methods in terms of labor and bee stress?
Summary Table:
| Key Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Method | Passive separation; bees exit but cannot re-enter. |
| Efficiency | Removes ~95% of bees without manual intervention. |
| Placement | Install under honey supers, triangle side down. |
| Advantages | Non-invasive, low-stress, aligns with sustainable beekeeping. |
| Time Required | Works best overnight; minimal smoking can speed up the process. |
| Limitations | 5% of bees may remain; not ideal for urgent harvests. |
Upgrade your honey harvesting process with the Bee Escape Board—contact HONESTBEE today for wholesale solutions tailored to commercial apiaries and distributors!
