I would
like to note, that for Apivox Varroa Eliminator beehive, was created a new type
of inner cover. So far, his work can be considered successful. Thanks to the
plastic lattice with gaps of 2-3 mm, usually used to collect propolis, our
inner cover makes it easy to conduct acoustic control of bees, (although, in
winter, light somewhat disturb them), to conduct visual control of wintering
bees without opening the hive, and then, if necessary, during frosts, you can
put a pillow of moss in it, in order to remove metabolic moisture, that can
condense at the top of the hive ...
It should
be noted, that the lattice is about 2 cm above the frames and the bees do not
cover the holes with propolis. We also integrated a wired microphone in the
middle of the inner cover, which allows us to control the bees in winter and
summer without lifting the hive's roof.
In
addition, a gap of 2-3 centimeters in size, allows winter feeding of bees with
"candy", without any
additional equipment. If flapjack, made from "candy" does not exceed
2-3 cm in thickness, it can be placed
directly on the frames under the lattice. Through the lattice you can easily
control the need for additional feeding of bees.
In addition
we built thermo-hygrometer into the inner cover, which allows you to check if
the bees are alive in winter , because if the bees are alive and in normal
state, and outdoors temperatures are not very low, then the bees (especially
the mountain gray breed) practically do not make any sounds. They have enough
metabolic heat for passive heating of the nest and the entire bees' cluster.
And only temperature and humidity in the hive will show beekeeper, that they
are alive, without any problem...
The
peculiarity of this pillow is that it has a rigid frame and is made in
dimencions of inner cover, which make it possible to insert it in inner cover
very fast and simply. It can remain open, letting the air slightly go out the
hive, ventilating the bees cluster, or
it can be covered with a foam mat. In any case, moss absorbs moisture and, in
addition, is a natural antiseptic.
The uniqueness of the operation of inner cover
of new design and the pillow of a new type in winter lies in the following ...
Structurally, the pillow was made from foam or wooden frame, covered with
material. Exactly this material determined its unique properties. It is a
non-woven fabric, very dense, with water-repellent properties. So, let's have a
look, how the pillow worked in winter ...
Usually, in
winter, the warm and humid air at the top of the hive touches a canvas or inner
cover or a clear plastic cover which are placed on the top of the frames, and
which is much colder than the air which moved up from the bees' cluster,
and moisture from the air condenses on
it as large drops that fall down onto the honeycombs and into the honey,
causing honey to sour and the combs to mould.
In upper cover of our
design, warm and very humid air from the cluster of bees, bypassing the plastic
grid, passes through the lower layer of non-woven material, through the moss,
filling the pillow, where moisture is partially absorbed by moss, then passes
through the upper layer of non-woven material, and touches the foam
polyethylene mat.
No matter
how well and tightly the upper foam cover is closed, this place is the point of
condensation and dew. it is here that moisture condenses from warm air and
turns into drops of water. But, due to the water-repellent properties of the
non-woven material, this water cannot return back to the pillow. The upper
layer of the pillow cloth does not get wet with small amounts of condensate,
and when inspected, water can be removed with a rag, or just poured out ... If
a lot of condensed water will collects on fabric, and fabric will leak, then,
moss will absorb water. In the pillow it is enough moss to absorb liters of
water. ..
Thus, the
nest of bees throughout the winter, regardless of temperature changes, will
remain completely dry. Frames will not mold, honey will not sour. Even dead
bees on the bottom of the hive will remain dry and can be easily removed.
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