MATERIALS
Lumber, untreated, 1× 10, 8' length cedar or pine
work well
Lumber, 1"× 1½", 24" lengths ( 5) for top bars.
If you’ve built the Honey Cow, use those bars.
Wood screws, 1½" ( 24)
Wood screws, ¾" ( 10)
White paint a small amount
Linseed oil, boiled (optional) or other natural wood
preservative
Sheet metal, 11"× 3" ( 2)
Beeswax, 1" cube
Olive oil, ¼ cup
Lemongrass oil ( 20 drops) 100% natural or organic
TOOLS
Electric drill, cordless
Circular saw
Drill bits, ¼" and ¾"
Wood rasp
Straightedge
Paintbrush
Fluorescent marker such as a yellow highlighter
Small glass jar and lid
Stove and small saucepan
Beekeeper gear, including a smoker, gloves,
full protective suit, and veil
1b. Mark one edge of an 8' length of 1× 10
lumber as follows: 24", 33½", 40½", 51",
61½", and 72". On the opposite edge of the
board, mark the following: 7", 16½", 40½",
51", 61½", and 72". Draw lines between the
marks, to create your cutting template.
1c. Using a circular saw, cut the board according to the diagram (Figure A). Also cut top
bars from the 1"× 1½" lumber if you haven’t
built the Honey Cow.
1d. On the cut edges of the side and bottom
boards, drill 3 holes along each side ( 6 total
per board), using the ¼" drill bit. Make the
holes about ½" from the cut edges. On the
roof board, drill 4 holes, 2 on each side on the
factory (uncut) edge.
1e. On a flat surface, place the front and
back boards upright with the 24" edges
down. There should be an 8½" to 8¾" space
between the boards. Lay the bottom board
atop the front and back boards and screw in
Bottom
24" 51" 72" 33½" 40½" 61½"
Front Back Roof Side Side
7" 16½"
51" 72" 40½" 61½" Drill holes
A
B
CD
place, carefully keeping the boards square
(Figure B).
Test the width of your bait hive by placing
your top bars in between the face boards.
They should fit easily, but not have any
spaces between the top bars. Now, using the
1½" screws, screw in each side board, carefully keeping the width of your box consistent
(Figure C).
1f. Once everything is screwed together, use
a ¾" drill bit to make an entrance hole on the
bottom of one of the sides (Figure D). Slightly
round the edges of the hole to give it a nice,
funnel-like opening.
1g. You can weatherproof the outside of your
hive with a natural preservative, like boiled
linseed oil and beeswax. Try to avoid chemical
preservatives, as they will add a smell to the
hive that might repel the bees. The preservative is optional, depending on your climate (in
our climate, there’s really no need).
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