Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Assembly
Increased efficiency and production to meet increased commercial demand has trickled
down and reduced the price of assembled equipment for backyard beekeepers. This,
of course has increased demand and more manufacturers are figuring out how to effi-
ciently produce, assemble, and paint beekeeping equipment.
A sizable minority of the beekeeping community sees assembling equipment as a rite
of passage into the craft. And there's yet a skilled subset of beekeeping woodworkers
that enjoy making their equipment from scratch and putting it together themselves.
Tip:
Elastic Straps
Long-legged bee suits with cuffs have elastic or closing snaps that make crawling
bees a nonissue. But, because a determined honey bee can make it an issue, having
these elastic straps and not needing them is wiser than needing them and not hav-
ing them. Keep a pair in your back pocket.
Bee suits come in two styles: jackets and full coverage. Full-coverage suits protect your
clothes from wax, honey, and propolis, and they also keep the bees out of places where
you don't want them. Full suits are good for heavy-duty work. Jackets provide less pro-
tection than full-coverage suits. Plastic-covered gloves are commonly used, fairly dur-
able, and moderately good for fine motor skills.
Most manufacturers continue to provide inadequate assembly instructions, and
sometimes no instructions at all. So, for those who wish to make the perfect wired
frame, the perfectly square hive body, or the perfectly pre-waxed plastic foundation, be-
ginning on page 34 are the best assembly instructions you will find anywhere. Follow
these guidelines and your equipment will last so long that your great grandchildren will
be using it.
Personal Gear
Bee Suits
