The single most important factor when choosing a triangular escape board is its size. You must select a board that matches the dimensions of your hive boxes—either an 8-frame or 10-frame model—to ensure a proper fit and prevent bees from bypassing the exit mechanism.
Choosing the right escape board is less about the board itself and more about understanding the process. Success depends on selecting the correct size, installing it properly, and allowing sufficient time for it to work.
The Goal: A Calm and Bee-Free Harvest
A triangular escape board is a tool designed for one purpose: to clear bees from honey supers with minimal disturbance to the colony. It acts as a one-way gate.
How It Works
Bees naturally move down into the brood chamber at night. The board is placed between the honey supers you wish to harvest and the brood boxes below.
The bees travel down through the triangular-shaped tunnels but cannot navigate their way back up, effectively and passively emptying the honey supers over 24-48 hours.
The Benefit Over Other Methods
Unlike using a bee brush or a fume board, which can be disruptive and stressful for the bees, the escape board works slowly and gently. This results in a calmer hive and a more pleasant harvesting experience for the beekeeper.
Proper Selection and Installation
Correctly choosing and placing the board is non-negotiable for it to function. An improper setup will render the tool useless.
Match the Frame Size
Your first and most critical choice is size. If you have 10-frame Langstroth boxes, you must use a 10-frame escape board. Using an 8-frame board on a 10-frame box will leave gaps that bees will use to re-enter the supers.
Place It Correctly in the Hive
The escape board must be installed between the boxes you intend to harvest (the honey supers) and the rest of the hive (the brood boxes).
Orient It "Triangle Down"
The side with the triangular escape passages must face down toward the brood boxes. If installed upside down, the bees will have no way to exit the supers.
Seal All Upper Entrances
This is the most common point of failure. Before leaving the board to do its work, ensure every other potential entrance above the board is sealed. This includes top entrances, inner cover notches, or any cracks in the boxes. If bees have another way in, they will use it.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While effective, the triangular escape board is not a perfect solution for every situation. Understanding its limitations is key to a successful harvest.
It Requires Time and Planning
This is not an instant solution. You must install the board at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 hours, before you plan to pull the honey. This requires planning around weather and your own schedule.
A Queen Can Become Trapped
If your queen has managed to move into the honey supers (which is less common if a queen excluder is in use), she can become trapped above the board. Always be mindful of this possibility when clearing your supers.
Ineffective During a Strong Nectar Flow
During a very strong nectar flow, bees may be reluctant to leave the supers, slowing the clearing process significantly.
Making the Right Choice for Your Harvest
Use these guidelines to determine if a triangular escape board aligns with your harvesting goals.
- If your primary focus is a calm harvest: The escape board is the best tool for gently and passively clearing bees with minimal stress to the colony.
- If your primary focus is speed: This method is not for you, as it requires at least a full day of waiting.
- If you manage multiple hive sizes: You must own a correctly sized escape board for each type of box (8-frame and 10-frame) you operate.
By matching the board to your hive and installing it correctly, you can ensure a remarkably peaceful and efficient honey harvest.
Summary Table:
| Consideration | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Size | Must match your hive box dimensions (8-frame or 10-frame). |
| Installation | Place between honey supers and brood boxes, triangle-side down. |
| Timeline | Requires 24-48 hours to clear bees effectively. |
| Prerequisite | Seal all upper entrances to prevent bees from re-entering. |
Ready for a Calmer, More Efficient Harvest?
A properly selected and installed triangular escape board is key to a gentle, bee-free honey harvest. At HONESTBEE, we supply high-quality beekeeping supplies and equipment designed for the needs of commercial apiaries and distributors.
Let us help you equip your operation for success. Contact our wholesale team today to discuss your needs and our full product catalog.
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