4 minute read
Response to Warré experience in Africa
David Heaf, Wales, UK writes
I raised the question posed by Asade Elijah in BfDJ 105 in the Warré Yahoo eGroup. Below is the reply from Andrew Janiak. Andrew was astonished to learn that Asade Elijah already has 40 Warrés.
Andrew Janiak, Australia writes
In my view the most likely suggestion for the relative lack of success with frame hives compared with Warré hives is that swarms like to hang in an empty cavity. This explains why, if a few frames of foundation are left in a hive, an incoming swarm will prefer to build wild comb in the space at one side. Would anyone like to comment?
When I collect swarms, I use a Langstroth sized box with just a few frames with starter strips and never had a failure. A friend wanted to collect a swarm and I assisted. He provided a Langstroth size box with frames and foundation. The swarm absconded from the box twice before finally, having been loaded into it for a third time, departed to “greener pastures”.
My take on it is simple: the bees measured the “box” as they could perceive it and each time saw only a single narrow passage between foundations, unsuitable for long term occupation. Give the bees an empty box with a small entrance and they will be happy.
In my opinion the exact dimensions are not critical but the perceived volume is 1,2. You can push a colony into any location and they will try to do their best there. A swarm has a choice and can fly away to look for better options so they will abandon any less than suitable location. For example a colony with brood would tolerate it due to lack of options. And if they have the option of building comb on foundation, or in free space to their own specifications, they would go for their own specification. It seems that bees are not fond of foundation, while narrow starter strips are accepted.
(1) SEELEY,T.D. (2010) Honeybee democracy. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA. Available from our webstore www. beesfordevelopment.org
(2) SEELEY,T.D. (1985) Honeybee Ecology: a study of adaptation in social life. Princeton University Press, Princeton, USA.
Stanley Mbobua writes
Is green wood the problem?
In my experience in Africa, I would look at the colour of the timber of the hive. If the colour is as green as the colour of the timber of the stand in the image of the Warré hive shown in BfDJ 105 – I know the reason for non-occupancy - because the stand colour is different from the hive box colour. If the timber that was used to make the frame hives in the article had not been properly seasoned then it will become mouldy. Bee colonies dislike mouldy hives!
I have managed top-bar hive workshops in Kenya and Uganda. In both countries I ‘hot-perfumed’ (see Mould and hives and history below) mouldy frame hives and managed to raise the occupancy of these hives from as low as 0-10% to 60-80%, and so confirmed that mould was the primary cause of the unoccupied hives.
Hives supplied by the Government of Kenya for hive workshops do not have this problem. This is because a revolving fund is set aside for timber purchase which gives the timber four months to dry in timber drying sheds. We are not doing this now – mainly due to timber scarcity.
A long term solution could therefore be to develop a culture of timber seasoning. Timber boards must be piled with spacers in well-aerated timber sheds - to dry for a minimum of four months.
Mould and hives and history
Log hives are hollowed out when the log is still green, then the hives are left to season. They are subsequently hot smoked with herbs then perfumed with beeswax and propolis. For over 40 years I have encouraged beekeepers to smoke all hive boxes with combs. This problem is known here and there is a local solution – an indigenous solution. Do not therefore blame the frame hive or bees. Blame mouldy hives and their artisans. Scientists can tell us about the bee repelling chemicals in mouldy timber.
Editor’s Note: The hive stand shown in the picture in BfDJ 105 had been treated with green environment-friendly stain and was not mouldy.
