A good rule of thumb when first using linseed oil on something is: once a day, for a week; once a week, for a month; once a month, for a year; and then once a year from then on.
Came back to watch this again. I built the two I have but after watching I think I’ll order one maybe two in time. Can’t beat that craftsmanship. When you opened it I could almost smell the wood.😊
Hey buddy, I live in central PA. I bought one of those last summer. Lovely hive! I put a swarm in it that I caught 4th of July. They filled out 8 frames completely and they filled em up with honey. I let them keep all of it for the winter because they were a pretty strong colony but they still died. Granted, it was a particularly cold and long lasting winter but my other 14 framers built with 2X10 construction had no problem at all. I am going to close up 90% of the bottom vent for the winter. They don't need that much ventilation when its cold. I built a few more of the heavy duty 14 framers this past spring so I am not using that one this year, But if I have to, I will insulate it with foam board and clost the windward side vents at the top. It is a very nice hive for the money though. Especially if you are keeping bees south of Maryland. Hey good video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing that, We’re hoping for some good results so we’ll wait and see. Should have three colonies in hives such as these this winter. Hope for the best!
I think your Secure Acres Hives being thicker will do better in the winter than the the thinner walls from Dr.Leo's. In my opinion, up in the mountains with the snow and sometimes extreme cold those bee's will have a much easier time with more natural built in insulation.
Hey Jared! I agree the thicker walls are certainly better for the cold, we're housing colonies in all three hives we ordered so this winter will be a good experiment for how they do. Based off some opinions we received we think the Bees will do fine but time will tell.
A good looking hive, although also comes to my mind that those metal edges may become problems when the wood start to swallow, and shrink like it does especially in outdoor where air humidity is changing quite much. But I guess we'll see how they will work.
It looks like it didn't come with a follower board. that's curious. I have the swarm trap model. I haven't put it out yet but it is built like yours. very sturdy. the wax dipping is very generous.
14 Frame is our favorite hive. Never had a colony fill out the 19 frame hives completely. We set them up with frames and let them build until October when we harvest the honey. If they swarm then it's up to them.
We are 1st year bee keepers (since March 2022) and built 2 bee hives from Dr. Leo's plans which are 14 frames and 2 swarm boxes as well. We are interested in what the plastic spaces on the frames are for and then would love to contact you about beekeeping in general as we are located in mid-North Carolina region. (we have questions on how you winter your bees)
Hey Carrie, Another NC Natural Beekeeper? Outstanding! Would love to answer any questions you have. You can email us at: SecureAcresNaturalBees@gmail.com
The white plastic at the bottom of the frames are spacers. I don't really like them because they make it harder to get the frames in and out. But they don't hurt anything.
Sorry those are frame spacers. They came attached to the frames we ordered from Dr. Leo Sharashkin (horizontalhive.com). Most of our frames don't have them.
To add a bit more context, the spacers are compensating for the lack of “shoulders” on the end bars and keep the combs from knocking together or going out of parallel in the box-especially when moving the box. If your frames have the shoulders, the spacers are not necessary.
The hive has an R-value of 1 where a tree has an R-value of 6-7+. In the mountains of NC the bees might survive the winter but they will not thrive. Plus they will need a lot more resources. (Honey)
Great video. Some quips. 1. These hives are not designed or made by Dr Leo. They’re imported from Spain. 2. 11/16 is no improvement over langstroth. The openings on either side of the frames combined with the very ventilated top and bottom, the bees are going to do worse than in a langstroth. These are for warm climates only. 3. The cavity above is 2” deep, which is perfect for packing with rigid foam or Rockwool comfort board. Or the wool pillow if you prefer. Close up the bottom vents a bit (the bees will do it) and cover the holes either side of frames and this is a perfect hive for a Smokey Mountains climate. I am trying the matching swarm trap this way as a nuc this winter in Colorado. I’m eager to see how it will do.
Thanks for the comment. You should take a look at our video where we review these hives after their first winter. All three colonies made it through some pretty cold days so we're happy with them.
Is it treated with linseed oil on the inside as well, I saw some shine on the walls and bottom. As these are made in Spain, well, Spain is a different country then where you live, spoken of climate. I'm curious how this will evolve in the future.
Hi. I tried the linseed oil thing your hive will turn ugly. I'm sorry but if you're in the Midwestern US the hive will mildew on the outside. I use paint now. Sherwin Williams Duration.
If you had mildew, I'd guess you had an issue with ventilation to go along with bees not able to vent the hive properly. Or location of the hive with certain winds changing direction for the worst...
i think this hive and a new swarm catcher are made in spain, not by Dr Leo. i dont like the entrances on these spanish hives. i like his 20 frame insulated much better, including the entrances along the bottom.
I like the 20 frame one better too. who wouldn't? these spanish made ones are a common type of beehive that can be seen in use all through Europe. try searching "Ukrainian bee hive" there's definitely no worries with using the Spanish hives
I bought 2 of these Layens hives this spring, 2022. Two doors are needed when 25k bees are living inside. Impressive looking hives, I must agree.
They are awesome!
A good rule of thumb when first using linseed oil on something is: once a day, for a week; once a week, for a month; once a month, for a year; and then once a year from then on.
Wow
Came back to watch this again. I built the two I have but after watching I think I’ll order one maybe two in time. Can’t beat that craftsmanship. When you opened it I could almost smell the wood.😊
Dr. Leo did a great job with them. They are still holding up pretty well!
Hey buddy, I live in central PA. I bought one of those last summer. Lovely hive! I put a swarm in it that I caught 4th of July. They filled out 8 frames completely and they filled em up with honey. I let them keep all of it for the winter because they were a pretty strong colony but they still died. Granted, it was a particularly cold and long lasting winter but my other 14 framers built with 2X10 construction had no problem at all. I am going to close up 90% of the bottom vent for the winter. They don't need that much ventilation when its cold. I built a few more of the heavy duty 14 framers this past spring so I am not using that one this year, But if I have to, I will insulate it with foam board and clost the windward side vents at the top. It is a very nice hive for the money though. Especially if you are keeping bees south of Maryland.
Hey good video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing that,
We’re hoping for some good results so we’ll wait and see. Should have three colonies in hives such as these this winter. Hope for the best!
I think your Secure Acres Hives being thicker will do better in the winter than the the thinner walls from Dr.Leo's. In my opinion, up in the mountains with the snow and sometimes extreme cold those bee's will have a much easier time with more natural built in insulation.
Hey Jared!
I agree the thicker walls are certainly better for the cold, we're housing colonies in all three hives we ordered so this winter will be a good experiment for how they do. Based off some opinions we received we think the Bees will do fine but time will tell.
Layens are at least a lot thicker walls than Langstroth.
A good looking hive, although also comes to my mind that those metal edges may become problems when the wood start to swallow, and shrink like it does especially in outdoor where air humidity is changing quite much. But I guess we'll see how they will work.
It looks like it didn't come with a follower board. that's curious. I have the swarm trap model. I haven't put it out yet but it is built like yours. very sturdy. the wax dipping is very generous.
It's certainly well made, definitely like the application to the wood.
How are 14 frames working do you find needing to pull honey and give them fresh frames so they have enough room, or would you just let the bees swarm?
14 Frame is our favorite hive. Never had a colony fill out the 19 frame hives completely. We set them up with frames and let them build until October when we harvest the honey. If they swarm then it's up to them.
Is the ventilation in the bottom of the hive too much in the winter? Do you have to cover part of it?
We had three colonies make it through the winter in these hives and I didn’t alter the ventilation on any of them.
will be interesting to see how they work out, you could send me one to see how they work out in Kentucky, just an idea
We'll see how they do, we have three to tryout so it should be interesting.
We are 1st year bee keepers (since March 2022) and built 2 bee hives from Dr. Leo's plans which are 14 frames and 2 swarm boxes as well. We are interested in what the plastic spaces on the frames are for and then would love to contact you about beekeeping in general as we are located in mid-North Carolina region. (we have questions on how you winter your bees)
Hey Carrie,
Another NC Natural Beekeeper? Outstanding! Would love to answer any questions you have. You can email us at:
SecureAcresNaturalBees@gmail.com
The white plastic at the bottom of the frames are spacers. I don't really like them because they make it harder to get the frames in and out. But they don't hurt anything.
I wished you explained more about the frames.... Whats the white plastic stuff attached to the bottom of the frames?
Sorry those are frame spacers. They came attached to the frames we ordered from Dr. Leo Sharashkin (horizontalhive.com). Most of our frames don't have them.
To add a bit more context, the spacers are compensating for the lack of “shoulders” on the end bars and keep the combs from knocking together or going out of parallel in the box-especially when moving the box. If your frames have the shoulders, the spacers are not necessary.
Have your bees ever ran out of room in these 14 frame hives?
Generally not. We believe 14 frame hives are the most optimal.
The hive has an R-value of 1 where a tree has an R-value of 6-7+. In the mountains of NC the bees might survive the winter but they will not thrive. Plus they will need a lot more resources. (Honey)
Time will tell for sure, hoping for the best and I think our weather will be a good test for these hives.
Great video. Some quips.
1. These hives are not designed or made by Dr Leo. They’re imported from Spain.
2. 11/16 is no improvement over langstroth. The openings on either side of the frames combined with the very ventilated top and bottom, the bees are going to do worse than in a langstroth. These are for warm climates only.
3. The cavity above is 2” deep, which is perfect for packing with rigid foam or Rockwool comfort board. Or the wool pillow if you prefer. Close up the bottom vents a bit (the bees will do it) and cover the holes either side of frames and this is a perfect hive for a Smokey Mountains climate. I am trying the matching swarm trap this way as a nuc this winter in Colorado. I’m eager to see how it will do.
Thanks for the comment. You should take a look at our video where we review these hives after their first winter. All three colonies made it through some pretty cold days so we're happy with them.
Did you hive survive the winter? Have you processed any honey and can you do it without an extractor?
All eleven of our colonies survived over the winter!
We can process without an extractor but it's more difficult. We only extract in October.
When do you open the top vent?
Usually if the colony is very populated.
The double entrance top and lower are made to fit with the layens pollen trap my friend... Hope you doing well 🐝🐝
Oh cool, thank you. Doing great!
I’m about to do the same :))
That's great! Let us know how it works out.
Is it treated with linseed oil on the inside as well, I saw some shine on the walls and bottom.
As these are made in Spain, well, Spain is a different country then where you live, spoken of climate.
I'm curious how this will evolve in the future.
Yes it does look like there is linseed oil on the inside. Hopefully the hive works well in the upcoming years!
they are also available dipped in wax. inside and out. the wax coating is thick. it ain't washing off anytime soon.
Hi. I tried the linseed oil thing your hive will turn ugly.
I'm sorry but if you're in the Midwestern US the hive will mildew on the outside.
I use paint now.
Sherwin Williams Duration.
If you had mildew, I'd guess you had an issue with ventilation to go along with bees not able to vent the hive properly. Or location of the hive with certain winds changing direction for the worst...
Can mice get into these hives?
Yes I believe they can, but we haven't had a problem with them thus far.
Does he sell the plastic spacers for the bottom of the frames?
I don't think so, not sure where to find these.
no, they are on them already
These are spanish hives sold for about 42€ in Spain ! look for "Layens colmena" at latiendadelapicultor
If you posted a link it won’t show your message.
@@SecureAcresNaturalBees thanks for info
i think this hive and a new swarm catcher are made in spain, not by Dr Leo. i dont like the entrances on these spanish hives. i like his 20 frame insulated much better, including the entrances along the bottom.
Good point, I guess we'll see how they do.
I like the 20 frame one better too. who wouldn't? these spanish made ones are a common type of beehive that can be seen in use all through Europe. try searching "Ukrainian bee hive" there's definitely no worries with using the Spanish hives