2012 - Volume #36, Issue #1, Page #35

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He Builds Cheaper Bee Hives

He Builds Cheaper Bee Hives CROPS Miscellaneous “I came up with a new bee hive design that eliminates the need for frames by hard-mounting the foundation Frames cost about $1 apiece and there are normally 10 frames per bee hive so I’m saving at least $10 per box ” says Robert Prahovic Branford Conn Instead of frames two sides of the super are grooved at regular intervals There are also a series of wooden supports at the top and bottom of the super that lock in the foundation Prahovic drops the beeswax foundations – on which bees make their honeycombs – into the grooves until the foundations rest on the bottom supports Then he places corresponding top supports and nails them in “The foundations are locked solidly in place or hard-mounted and can’t move Even if you turn the hive upside down the foundations can’t fall out ” says Prahovic Each hive is 2 in shorter than a standard hive and also 1/2 in less in height The shortened hives can be used with standard hive covers bottom boards or honey supers with frames “Having shorter hives means you can fit more hives on a truck which lowers your transportation costs ” says Prahovic “I can build a medium super for $22 That includes $12 for the wood and $10 for the foundation and nails ” he notes Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Robert Prahovic 169 Chestnut St Branford Conn 06405 ph 203 483-1572