I have said Read, read, and read some more. Well—-I followed my suggestion and have been reading (following links via the web) about a beekeeper in Southeastern Nebraska who uses top entrances only. I think I want to try that here. Not for the same reasons that he does like: keeping the snow out of the entrances of the hives and not having to mow the grass. Here in Florida, it doesn’t snow and if we don’t mow the grass, the hives would be completely invisible and we could lose some of them.

I am going to try just to see if the bees will continue on and develop well. Keeping the skunks, opossums, and small vermin out is a plus. With this kind of setup, along with only one size box, the queen excluder will be completely eliminated from my BMP (Best Management Practice).

One size box means that I will be using only medium supers. No more two or three sizes in my apiaries. Using only one size will eliminate having to take different size boxes to the field. This also means that only one size frames will be used.

Now let me explain in depth. If you use a deep brood box and you need to take a frame of brood out to thin the brood area, you need to have another deep box, either brood box or nuc, to put the frame of brood into. But if you are using only one size box then you can put the frame of brood into any box you have on hand. If you need some more brood area, all you need to do is add another box to the brood area of the stack and the queen will go up and lay some more eggs.

She will probably lay eggs in the honey supers, and when you are getting ready to pull honey, all you have to do is combine all the brood in one super and take the honey frames that have no brood and combine with the honey supers you are taking and all is well. No more wishing you had brought a deep with you. According to the Nebraska beekeeper, Michael Bush, this is the beginning of a lazy beekeeping system that is better for you and the bees. I can see where it will help me. I have been doing the normal beekeeping system ever since I started keeping bees. Now 12 years later, I am beginning to think outside of the box.

Another plus is the honey super is now all the same weight. No more trying to lift 100 + pounds (deep super). All will be approximately 40-60 lbs. Easier on the back and don’t have to keep boxes separated in the honey house. Just grab any box and put your empty honey frame in them and get ready to take back to the apiary. Another plus, when moving bees, supers, or combination, all your stacks will be the same height and you can strap them down more easily. Nice!!

Well, that is enough brainwork for now. Take care of your homework during the day and read, study, and plan for your next project. Stay warm and HAPPY THANKSGIVING  every one.