Beekeeping Essentials - Must-Have Accessories for Your Top Bar Hive
Hey there, buzzing bee enthusiasts! 🌼✨ Ready to discover the must-have accessories that can turn your top bar hive beekeeping into a breeze? Let’s dive into the hive of knowledge!
The Beekeeper’s Toolkit
Here’s a rundown of the hive accessories that can make your top bar hive experience so much smoother:
Top Bar Stand: Imagine having a helper that holds your top bar and comb, allowing you to manage your hive hands-free. That’s exactly what a top bar stand does! From foldable options to wire wonders, beekeepers get creative with these hive sidekicks.
Bee Down Strip: Ever needed to coax your bees back into the hive? That’s where the bee down strip comes to the rescue. A slim strip guides those little workers back home when re-inserting top bars. Get inventive with materials, handholds, and various shapes to make this strip work like magic.
Follower Board: Want to control the interior hive volume, raise a queen, or run a second nuc? The follower board is your versatile solution. Beekeepers often tweak hive volumes, providing a cozy space that encourages bees to draw out straighter combs.
Feeders: Keep your bees well-fed with a quail-type dribble water feeder or get crafty with plastic 2-liter pop bottles. Access holes drilled through specially designed top bars or a feeder built into a follower board—your bees will thank you for the delicious sugar syrup.
Hive Stands: Lift your hives off the ground, away from termites and damp conditions. Concrete blocks, bricks, rocks, or even a creatively designed stand like Tomas’s can be your hive’s perfect pedestal. Consider factors like portability, weight capacity, maintenance, and pest prevention when choosing the ideal stand.
A Closer Look at a Few
Bee Down Strip
A simple, yet genius strip that guides your bees back into the hive when it’s time to close up shop. Experiment with materials, shapes, and handholds to make it even more effective.
Follower Board
Meet the multitasker of the hive world. Use it to partition your top bar hive, raise a queen, run a second nuc, or adjust hive volume for the changing seasons.
Hive Stand
Take a cue from Tomas’s hive stand—a simple, effective solution that provides a comfy working height and keeps Hondurian hives safe from disturbances and pests.
Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or just starting your buzzing journey, these accessories can add a touch of magic to your top bar hive beekeeping experience. So, go ahead, equip yourself, and let the hive adventures begin! ✨
-Buzzingly Yours, D 🐝🤠
