Beekeepers know that harvesting honey from hives can be a challenging task. It is an essential procedure that requires skill and a few handy tools.
One of those essential tools that every beekeeper should have is an escape board. It is an effective way to separate the honey super from the brood chamber, preventing any pending brood from getting hurt during the process.
As beekeepers, it is our responsibility to make sure that our honeybees are extracted from the hive in a way that doesn’t harm them or the honey they store. One of the essential tools that help beekeepers in this regard is escape boards.
An escape board is a beekeeping tool used to remove bees from supers (honey chambers) during harvesting without stressing or harming them. The board is designed to allow workers, drones, and the queen to leave the supers but makes it difficult or impossible for them to return. It has a one-way mechanism that makes it difficult for bees to go back into the supers. Thus, they are forced to evacuate, leaving the supers with all the honey intact.
Generally, escape boards are used in beekeeping to reduce the stress of removing honey because bees can become aggressive when they are in their honey chambers.
With an escape board, beekeepers can evacuate honey chambers without worrying about getting stung or killing bees. It also helps prevent the honey from smelling or tasting like smoke, which is particularly important for beekeepers who harvest honey for sale.
There are several escape boards available in the market, each designed to cater to different beekeeping needs. However, the most common ones include:
An escape board is a wooden board with a set of one-way valves through which the bees can easily travel from the honey super to the brood chamber but not the other way around. A beekeeper can use the board to evacuate the bees from the honey super. The process of using an escape board is relatively simple.
First, the beekeeper removes the honey-filled frames from the supers. Next, they place the escape board between the supers and the brood chamber, ensuring all the valves point downwards. The bees in the honey super will pass through the valves and eventually find themselves in the brood chamber.
It takes some time for all the bees to vacate the honey super, but once they do, the beekeeper can remove the super without worrying about harming the bees.
Using an escape board in beekeeping has several benefits. Firstly, it makes the honey harvesting process less harmful to the bees. With an escape board, a beekeeper can ensure proper separation of the supers from the brood and reduce the disturbed bee population. Bees are essential to the ecosystem; thus, it is crucial to handle them with the utmost care.
Another advantage of using an escape board is that it saves time. Using an escape board is less time-consuming compared to the traditional process of brushing bees off the frames. The board can help remove all the bees as the beekeeper attends other crucial duties. Lastly, an escape board ensures that only mature bees are left behind, avoiding any premature death of brood.
As much as an escape board enhances safety and convenience for the bees and beekeeper, it is imperative to take precautions. One of the precautions to consider is ensuring that the escape board is clean and dry before use. It can be challenging to handle the board when wet, and it will not be useful if the bees stick to it.
Another precaution to take is not to leave the honey super on top of the hive for too long. The escape board is a tool that removes bees from the super rather than preventing them from entering. Leaving the super for too long can lead to bees finding their way back in, rendering the use of an escape board futile.
When deciding whether to use an escape board, there are several important factors to consider. One of the most significant is the size and strength of your colony. If your hive is robust, the honeycomb may be too heavy for the bees to move through an escape board. Be sure to check the strength of your colony before attempting to use an escape board.
Another factor to consider is the time of year. Bees are most active during the summer and fall months, so it’s best to avoid using an escape board during this time. If you attempt to remove bees from the hive during their most active months, they may become agitated and aggressive. This can make it difficult to extract honey safely.
One scenario where an escape board comes in handy is during the winter months. As bees become less active during the colder months, it becomes easier to remove honey from the hive. An escape board can help you extract honey without damaging the hive or disturbing the bees.
Another situation where an escape board may be useful is during a hive inspection. If a hive is congested or overcrowded, it can be challenging to complete a thorough inspection. An escape board can help you remove bees from the hive more easily, making it easier to inspect the combs and evaluate the colony’s health.
The best time of year to use an escape board is during the spring months. By this time, the bees have spent the winter months conserving and preparing for the upcoming season. They may be less active during this time, making it easier to remove honey from the hive. If the weather is mild, it’s also a great time to inspect the hive and make any necessary changes.
It is essential for beekeepers to have an escape board when conducting honey extraction. An escape board is a useful tool that helps to channel bees out of the honey supers, making it easy to collect honey without harming or killing bees. While escape boards are readily available in beekeeping stores, making one can be both cost-effective and rewarding. In this chapter, we will provide you with a DIY guide on how to make an escape board from scratch.
Making your own escape board is cost-effective compared to buying one from a store. To make your own escape board, the estimated cost for materials is around $20, while a pre-made one from a store can cost anywhere from $30 to $60.
Moreover, creating your own escape board provides a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. You get to save money and, at the same time, enhance your beekeeping skills. It can also be customized to suit your individual needs.
Escape boards are essential pieces of equipment for beekeepers. They are useful for quickly moving bees from one place to another, helping a weak colony thrive, and for harvesting honey. They are also a cost-effective and time-saving solution for beekeepers.
If you’re looking for a way to make your beekeeping easier, an escape board may be just what you need.
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