To clear your honey supers effectively, a triangular escape board is placed directly between the supers you intend to harvest and the brood chamber below. This board must be oriented correctly for it to work: the side with the triangular inserts must face down towards the brood boxes, creating a one-way exit for the bees.
The goal of a honey harvest is to remove honey, not fight with bees. A triangular escape board is a tool of patience that acts as a gentle, one-way gate, leveraging natural bee behavior to clear the honey supers for you with minimal stress to the colony.
How the Triangular Escape Board Works
A triangular escape board is an elegant solution because it works with the bees' natural tendencies. It separates the hive into two zones: the honey supers above and the brood chamber below.
The Principle of the One-Way Gate
Bees in the honey supers will naturally try to move down into the main brood area of the hive. The escape board is designed to allow this downward movement while preventing them from returning to the supers.
The Funnel-Down Effect
On the top side of the board (facing the honey), bees easily find the large, open base of the triangle. They enter this space and are funneled down towards the small exit holes at the tips of the triangle.
The "Escape" Mechanism
Once a bee passes through one of the small exit holes on the bottom side of the board, it enters the brood chamber. From this lower vantage point, it is nearly impossible for the bee to find the tiny exit hole to travel back up, effectively trapping it out of the honey super.
Step-by-Step Placement and Timing
Correct placement and timing are crucial for the board to function as intended. This process should begin 24-48 hours before you plan to remove the honey.
First, Confirm Your Honey is Ready
Before using an escape board, ensure your honey is ready for harvest. A frame should be at least 80% capped, with 100% being ideal. Capped honey has a low water content (under 18%) and is properly cured by the bees.
The Correct Placement
You will briefly disassemble the top of your hive. The escape board is placed directly on top of the uppermost brood box and directly beneath the lowest honey super you plan to harvest.
The Critical Orientation: Triangle Down
This is the most important step. The side of the board with the plastic or wooden triangles must face down toward the brood nest. If it is placed upside down, the bees will be trapped in the honey supers, not out of them.
How Long to Wait
Leave the board in place for 24 to 48 hours. This gives the vast majority of bees enough time to move down into the brood chamber. When you return, the honey supers will be nearly empty of bees and much lighter and easier to remove.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While effective, the escape board is one of several methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Pro: A Calm and Gentle Method
The primary benefit is how calm the process is. Unlike using a bee brush or a blower, the escape board doesn't agitate the bees. This results in less stress for the colony and a more pleasant experience for the beekeeper.
Con: It Requires a Return Trip
The main drawback is time. You cannot place the board and harvest on the same day. It requires planning and at least two trips to the apiary, which may not be practical for everyone.
Pitfall: Other Entrances
The board is useless if the honey supers have other entrances or cracks. Bees will simply bypass the board and use these other openings to get back to the honey. Ensure your equipment is in good condition with no alternative routes.
Pitfall: Leaving it On Too Long
Do not leave the escape board on the hive for more than 48 hours. Robber bees from other colonies may find the now-defenseless honey, and in rare cases, the bees may begin building burr comb in the empty space.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Select your clearing method based on your priorities and management style.
- If your primary focus is a stress-free harvest for you and your bees: The triangular escape board is the ideal method, requiring only patience and proper placement.
- If your primary focus is harvesting immediately in a single trip: You may need to consider more active methods like a fume board or bee brush, but accept the increased disruption to the colony.
By understanding how the escape board leverages bee behavior, you can ensure a peaceful and productive honey harvest.
Summary Table:
| Aspect | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Position | Between the honey supers and the brood chamber. |
| Orientation | Triangular inserts must face DOWN towards the brood boxes. |
| Timing | Place 24-48 hours before you plan to harvest. |
| Goal | Creates a one-way exit, gently clearing bees from the supers. |
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