Where Should A Triangular Escape Board Be Placed In A Beehive? Best Practices For A Clean Honey Harvest

For a clean and efficient harvest, the Triangular Escape Board must be installed directly between your brood chamber and the honey supers you wish to remove. Ensure that the board is oriented with the triangle mechanism facing down toward the brood boxes to allow bees to leave the supers while preventing their return.

Success relies on creating a one-way barrier; place the board beneath the supers you are harvesting, with the mesh triangle facing down, and ensure all upper entrances are completely sealed.

Proper Positioning for Results

The Separation Line

The escape board acts as a precise divider in your hive stack. It should sit immediately on top of the brood nest (the main hive body) and underneath the honey supers.

Orientation Matters

The most critical detail in installation is the direction of the escape mechanism. The side with the triangle pattern must face down toward the brood box.

The Exit Mechanics

When placed correctly, bees in the honey supers follow the maze-like baffles down into the brood chamber. Once they exit through the triangle points, they cannot navigate their way back up into the honey.

Critical Prerequisites for Success

Sealing Upper Entrances

For the escape board to function, the honey supers must become a dead-end for the bees. You must close all entrances located above the escape board.

Preventing Re-entry

If upper holes or gaps remain open, robber bees may enter the undefended honey stores. Additionally, your own foragers will simply fly out the top and re-enter through the front, bypassing the escape board entirely.

Understanding the Trade-offs

The 24-Hour Window

Timing is a strict variable when using this tool. You should generally leave the board in place for roughly 24 hours to clear the supers effectively.

The Risk of Delay

Leaving the board on for longer than 24 hours is a common error. Given enough time, bees may eventually figure out how to navigate the maze in reverse or find small gaps to re-enter the supers.

No Heat Escape

Because the board restricts airflow and movement, it can limit ventilation in the supers. Do not leave it on for extended periods in extreme heat, as this can distress the bees trapped above before they exit.

Maximizing Your Harvest Efficiency

To ensure you get the most out of your Triangular Escape Board, align your usage with your specific goals:

If your primary focus is Speed: Install the board in the afternoon and harvest the next morning to stay within the optimal clearing window.
If your primary focus is Security: Double-check that all upper auger holes and lid gaps are taped shut to prevent robbing while the supers are unguarded.

By correctly orienting the triangle down and respecting the 24-hour limit, you ensure a peaceful harvest that protects both your honey and your colony.

Summary Table:

Feature	Installation Requirement
Primary Placement	Between the brood chamber and honey supers
Mechanism Direction	Triangle mesh must face DOWN toward the brood box
Optimal Duration	24 hours (maximum efficiency)
Critical Step	Seal all upper entrances and lid gaps to prevent re-entry
Ventilation Note	Avoid prolonged use in extreme heat to prevent colony distress

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