Top Bee, Top Bar

The best way to keep bees is, we have discovered, via what is called a top bar hive. We have come to this conclusion by progressing through our intensive bee tuition over the last few weeks, and finding out more and more about bees and how they function.

And top bar hives seems the way to go. In fact, if we had known weeks ago what we know now, we would likely have by-passed our National Hive in favour of a top bar. But, as they say, you live and learn. So we have decided Hive Number Two shall be a top bar hive, and Andy is going to handcraft it in his day-off-during-the week time.

Top bar hives look like pig troughs on stilts. They don't need frames, or pre-made wax sheets. They have bars. Along the top. On which bees build their own natural comb in any darn way they like. Ergo they create what suits them best and keeps them happiest. And happy bees are calm bees and healthy bees. And that is what we want in our garden. Honey, if we get it, will be our bonus and not our right.

Obtaining the wood for the top bar has proved rather stressful for Andy. It's at times like this I wish my Dad was still alive, because he was a master carpenter and would be able to sort out what we needed in a flash. But then, as we weave through life and the people we once relied on to ease our path become no more, we have to stand on our own two feet, and make our own decisions. And that is a good thing because it teaches us independence and self-reliance and that we CAN actually do these things ourselves if we try.

So, after a failed mission to one wood merchant, who proved vague and unhelpful, Andy set off for another merchant which, oddly enough, was the one my Dad had his account with for many, many years. And said wood was procured. The wood man was very interested in what Andy was aiming to build, and he wanted to know all about hives. And I think it helps keep the fire of momentum and enthusiasm burning if someone shows an interest in your endeavours.

The next issue is 'to window or not to window.' Because top bar hives are minumum interference, you can fit them with a window that runs along one full side, so you can keep an eye on what's occuring inside without poking about in the intrusive way other styles of hive require.
The trouble is, fitting glass into wood requires 'special equipment' in the form of saws 'n' stuff. To wit, Andy has bought a circular saw, which will give me endless sleepless nights whenever he mentions he's about to use it. Oh, I'm sure he'll be careful, but I'm wondering - should I get some extra large bandages for the first aid kit, just in case?

We want to get the top bar hive sorted pretty quickly in case a swarm comes our way via a 'we- hear-you-are-a-bee-keeper-can-you-come-and-get-a- swarm?' method. The other option is to use it as a 'bait' hive, lacing the entrance with lemon grass, which smells the same as Queen Bee pheremone, apparently. How scientists find out these things I shudder to think. I mean, how ethical, or safe for that matter, is it to go around sniffing bees?

Anyway, Andy now has a project on the go. And my next project? Well, it's going to be learning to play the piano properly. I've got a piano tuner coming out to see if he can save our piano tomorrow afternoon. It might be beyond repair, due wholly to its very neglectful owner i.e me. But I hope not. And you never know - one day I might be able to bang out 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' !