The Bee Escape board is a crucial tool in beekeeping, designed to facilitate the removal of bees from honey supers before harvest. Its placement is strategic, ensuring bees exit the supers efficiently while minimizing stress to the colony. By positioning it between the honey supers and brood boxes, beekeepers can create a one-way path for bees to leave the supers, making honey extraction smoother and less disruptive to the hive.
Key Points Explained:
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Positioning Between Honey Supers and Brood Boxes
- The Bee Escape board should be placed directly between the honey supers (smaller boxes) and the brood boxes (larger boxes).
- Honey supers are where bees store surplus honey, while brood boxes house the queen, brood, and winter honey stores.
- This placement ensures bees naturally move downward into the brood box, leaving the supers relatively bee-free for harvest.
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Encouraging Bee Movement
- The board acts as a one-way exit, allowing bees to crawl down into the brood box but preventing them from returning to the supers.
- Bees instinctively return to the brood area at night, so placing the board in advance (e.g., 24–48 hours before harvest) maximizes efficiency.
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Minimizing Hive Disruption
- Proper placement reduces the need for manual bee removal methods (e.g., brushing or using smoke), which can agitate the colony.
- A well-positioned escape board ensures a gentler process, preserving hive health and honey quality.
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Timing Considerations
- Install the board during a period of low foraging activity (evening or cooler days) to avoid trapping bees outside the hive.
- Check the supers after 1–2 days; if many bees remain, extend the duration or inspect for blockages in the escape mechanism.
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Alternative Placements (When Necessary)
- In multi-super setups, place the escape board below the super you intend to harvest, ensuring bees exit only the targeted boxes.
- For horizontal hives (e.g., top-bar hives), adapt the placement to guide bees toward the brood area effectively.
By following these guidelines, beekeepers can optimize honey collection while maintaining colony welfare. Have you considered how seasonal changes might influence the board’s effectiveness? Cooler temperatures, for instance, may slow bee movement, requiring longer wait times.
Summary Table:
| Key Placement Guidelines | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Between honey supers (smaller boxes) and brood boxes (larger boxes). |
| Purpose | Creates a one-way exit for bees, leaving supers bee-free for harvest. |
| Timing | Install 24–48 hours before harvest, ideally during low activity (evening). |
| Effectiveness Check | Inspect after 1–2 days; extend time or clear blockages if bees remain. |
| Alternative Setups | For multi-super hives, place below targeted supers; adapt for horizontal hives. |
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