05-13-2007, 06:52 AM
Here is a link to a site about starting a small honey producing operation, although they consider "small:" to be 1,000 hives: http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/pubs/SFNews/a.../94032.htm
Here is a description of a basic beehive which is sometimes hard to figure out until you can get a picture, diagram or good description of it:
Hives--Bee hives are stacks of four-sided, bottomless boxes that hold wooden frames upon which the bees build their combs. Each hive has a bottom board and cover. The bees glue the small cracks between the components together with "bee glue" (propolis). The frames rest on ledges cut into the top of the boxes. Sheets of embossed beeswax (foundation) are attached in the frames to provide the bees with the midribs for their new combs. The bees extend the foundation wax and add more to it and draw comb cells out of each side of the sheet. The comb cells are used for food storage, clustering, raising baby bees, and air conditioning.
(Note: the bottomless boxes are called "supers" or "brooders" and other appellations despending on their size and location in the stack.)
Here's a link to one of the major beekeeping equipment suppliers: http://www.dadant.com/
Here is a description of a basic beehive which is sometimes hard to figure out until you can get a picture, diagram or good description of it:
Hives--Bee hives are stacks of four-sided, bottomless boxes that hold wooden frames upon which the bees build their combs. Each hive has a bottom board and cover. The bees glue the small cracks between the components together with "bee glue" (propolis). The frames rest on ledges cut into the top of the boxes. Sheets of embossed beeswax (foundation) are attached in the frames to provide the bees with the midribs for their new combs. The bees extend the foundation wax and add more to it and draw comb cells out of each side of the sheet. The comb cells are used for food storage, clustering, raising baby bees, and air conditioning.
(Note: the bottomless boxes are called "supers" or "brooders" and other appellations despending on their size and location in the stack.)
Here's a link to one of the major beekeeping equipment suppliers: http://www.dadant.com/
Kurt Wilson