Hive Accessories#
1 . What is a queen excluder?
Metal or plastic grid gauged such that the worker bees can pass through, but the larger queen cannot
2 . What is the purpose of the queen excluder?
To exclude the queen from laying eggs (brood) in the area of the hive dedicated for honey production
3 . What is a “honey barrier”?
In the nest, the central core is brood with honey stores above. Generally, the queen is reluctant to cross this honey barrier and deposit eggs above it.
4 . Why would a queen excluder be most useful in a one-hive body configuration and not in a two-hive body configuration?
In the one-hive body, brood is restricted to the hive body and food stores to the super. In a two-hive body configuration, the honey barrier naturally occurs in the second hive body
5 . What does the name “super” imply?
Superior or above the hive body.
6 . What is the reason we use a “telescoping” outer cover?
Provides weather protection and reduces the risk of the cover blowing off
7 . What is a “dearth”?
A time when no nectar is available
8 . What is a Boardman feeder?
Wood or plastic base that slides into the entrance of the hive. A glass or plastic bottle is placed in the base for providing sugar water or water.
9 . What are the disadvantages of the Boardman feeder?
Limited to quart increments (not gallons as needed by the colony)
It is in the bee entrance and some distance from the bee cluster
Placing food near the entrance of the hive may invite robber bees
10 . What is one use or advantage of a Boardman feeder?
Excellent way to provide water during hot or dry spells
11 . What is a division board feeder?
It is a feeder that is shaped like a frame and made to hang alongside frames in the brood nest.
12 . What are the advantages of a division board feeder?
Can be placed next to the clustering bees
Once installed, it is easy to refill
13 . What are the disadvantages of division board feeders?
Necessary to open the hive to refill
Bees can drown in the syrup reservoirs
14 . Describe a plastic food bag feeder and the advantages and disadvantages of feeding this way:
Advantages - Uses ordinary 1 gallon food bags available in food stores, is cheap and places food right on top or close to clustering bees thus eliminates the messy job of pouring syrup in the field
Disadvantage - Bag can leak dripping syrup over the cluster and may be difficult for bees to access during cold weather
15 . Describe how a pail with a perforated lid can be used to feed bees in the winter:
The pail or bucket can be placed directly above the clustering bees which can then be enclosed with an empty super or hive body.
16 . What is a top feeder and the advantages and disadvantages?
A top feeder sits on top of the hive which is filled with syrup for feeding. a. Advantage - can be put on top of the colony without opening the super and disturbing the cluster b. Disadvantage - does not hold much syrup, bees can drown and being a distance away from the cluster during cold weather, the bees may not be able break from the cluster to feed
17 . Who invented the smoker for beekeeper use?
Moses Quinby in the 1870’s is known as the “father of practical beekeeping”.
18 . What is the rationale for not wearing protective gloves while working a hive?
Risks working the hive more roughly, and not knowing, since the hands are protected, that one may inadvertently crush bees, releasing alarm pheromone.
19 . According to Dr. Delaplane, what is the best defense against stings for a beekeeper?
A smoker, a veil and good bee handling skills