New residents in the first "Hungarian" bee house

As part of the foundation's workshop concept, the first bee house was built in recent weeks as a pilot project using the standard Hungarian dimensions (wide high frames) that are widespread in Hungary. A German single-room hive was adapted to the frame size.

A fairly complex construction. The hive was split in the middle and widened by around 25 cm. It had to be reduced in height. A newly built attachment serves as a support for the suspension of the frames. In addition, natural hemp insulation and an additional rubber mat were installed under a newly built solid wood roof. The roof construction is finished off with a trapezoidal sheet. The walls of the bee house are at least 3 cm, in some cases 4 cm thick. The floor is also made of solid wood. We see the need to pay particular attention to insulation and ventilation, especially because of the high temperatures in July and August, which can lead to wax melting. A wide inspection hatch was installed in the lower area on the opposite side of the entrance hole.

A self-developed idea of ​​housing two colonies in the hive was implemented by installing a sheet roughly in the middle to separate them. This form of hive with the high frames reduces the number of colonies that need to be checked each year, as the colony sits on fewer honeycombs than in other hives. If it becomes necessary to remove brood nest honeycombs, this can be done immediately and the honey supers do not have to be removed first, as is the case with a magazine hive. 

Overall, this hive ensures a significant reduction in the strain on the bee colony, which is achieved through fewer interventions and a shorter period of time.

As you can see in the pictures, the first bee colony moved in this week, which a local beekeeper gave us free of charge. We would like to extend our special thanks to him and to the volunteers who helped build the hive. We are very pleased about this "addition" to the property and will carry out further research into the bee colony and the use of the hive.

A local beekeeper reported great success in combating Varroa by adding a water-lactic acid solution. The solution is introduced by adding a water-kefir mixture (85/15%) to the bee drinker and by finely spraying the solution onto the honeycombs.

The neighboring strawberry beds are also happy about their new neighbors. 

Now is the ideal time to set up new bee colonies. The forage is very lush and rich with a wide variety of flowers. Maple, acacia, strawberries, thyme, rosemary, borage and many other herbs and flowers are currently in bloom. 

We will not take any honey from this colony either and will not suppress the swarming activity. 

We will be happy to report on the further development and results of the project. 

Best wishes and be(e) good,

Klaus Heinzel