Building Beehives For Dummies (9781119544388) was previously published as Building Beehives For Dummies (9781118312940). While this version features a new Dummies cover and design, the content is the same as the prior release and should not be considered a new or updated product.
The easy way to build your own beehives and beekeeping equipment
Building Beehives For Dummies is the follow-up book to the bestselling Beekeeping For Dummies. It provides everything you need to learn how to build some of the world's most popular hives and beekeeping accessories. For each design the book includes a detailed materials list (what lumber, hardware and fasteners you'll need), step-by-step building instructions, and illustrative drawings that show how the components all fit together. There are over a dozen plans in all, including the traditional Langstroth hive, the eight frame garden hive, designs for elevated hive stands, the Warre hive, screened bottom board, the Kenya top-bar hive, four-frame observation hive, hive top feeders, and more. The book contains introductory chapters that teach you the basic carpentry skills necessary to build any of the plans in the book.
Whether you are a new beekeeper or a seasoned ol'timer, Building Beehives for Dummies provides you with the information you need to plan and succeed at building beehives (and other cool accessories). You'll discover what type of hive to build, hints on how to maintain your equipment, what bees need to stay happy and healthy, where to locate your hive, and much more.
- Covers "bee space," the critical technical measurement within a beehive that's crucial for easy inspection of your colonies
- Offers guidance on keeping both urban and suburban neighbors happy, getting proper permissions, and understanding regional laws and regulations
- Provides creative ideas for dressing up hives for fun and profit
In today's world of self-sufficiency, back-to-basics and sustainability, building beehives is a fun hobby that both you and your bees will appreciate and benefit from.
Autorentext
Howland Blackiston has been a backyard beekeeper since 1984. He's appeared on dozens of television and radio programs, and he's a business professional who turned his passion into a thriving business. He also served as President of Connecticut's Back Yard Beekeepers Association, one of the nation's largest regional clubs for the hobbyist beekeeper.
Klappentext
- Customize popular hive plans to suit you and your bees
- Select the right tools and materials for your build
- Construct valuable hive accessories
Want to build your own beehives? Easy.
Whether you're a new beekeeper or a seasoned ol' timer, Building Beehives For Dummies provides the information you need to successfully plan and build your own beehives and cool beehive accessories. This friendly guide not only gives you complete and customizable beehive plans, it shares easy-to-follow illustrated instructions that take the sting out of completing the assembly process. Discover what type of hive to build, how to maintain your equipment, what bees need to stay happy and healthy, and much more.
Inside...
- The anatomy of a beehive
- Legal concerns for your hive
- Important beehive features
- The scoop on basic carpentry skills
- Tips for safely using woodworking equipment
- Clear cut lists for every design
Inhalt
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You're Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 3
Part 1: The Buzz on Beehives 4
Part 2: The World's Most Popular Beehive Designs 4
Part 3: Sweet Beehive Accessories 4
Part 4: The Part of Tens 5
Icons Used in This Book 5
Beyond the Book 5
Where to Go from Here 6
Part 1: The Buzz on Beehives 7
Chapter 1: Getting Sweet on Building Your Own Beehives 9
Bee-ing in the Know about Bees 10
Honeybees' most important job: Pollination 10
The products of the honeybee 11
The main players in a beehive 12
Appreciating the Benefits of Building a Beehive Rather than Buying One 14
Have fun and feel self-satisfaction 14
Enhance your commitment to beekeeping, and better understand your bees' home 14
Modify designs to better meet your needs 14
Enjoy better quality than store-bought kits 15
Go green and recycle 15
Make building a family affair 15
Sell your handiwork 15
Making Plans for Your Own Beehive 15
Setting Up Your Workshop 16
Assembling Tools and Materials 16
Getting a Handle on Carpentry Skills 17
Constructing Hives and Accessories 17
Chapter 2: Comb Sweet Comb: Beehive Basics 21
Knowing What Bees Need in a Hive 21
Shelter and safety 21
The ability to expand 22
Dry and well-ventilated conditions 22
A nearby source of water 22
Understanding the Anatomy of a Beehive 23
Elevated hive stand 24
Bottom board 25
Entrance reducer 25
Deep hive bodies 25
Honey super 25
Frames 26
Inner cover 27
Outer cover 27
Looking at Locale 28
Following regional laws and requirements 28
Bee-ing sweet to your neighbors 28
Picking the perfect location 29
Making a Beeline to the Hive That's Best for Your Needs 31
A hive for learning and teaching 32
Hives for pollinating your garden 32
A hive for harvesting honey 32
Hives to match your building skills 32
Hives for selling 33
A handy table to help you decide the hive to build 33
Chapter 3: Gathering Basic Tools and Materials 35
Bee-ing Safe Before You Begin 35
Protecting yourself with safety gear 36
Following safety practices 38
Oops! Planning for emergencies 38
Talking about Tools 39
A few essential hand tools 39
The right saws and blades 42
Gadgets that are nice to have but not essential 43
Looking at Lumber 45
Choosing lumber 45
Sizing up lumber 47
Getting the scoop on plywood 48
The Buzz on Other Building Materials 49
Fixating on fasteners 49
Rifling through roofing materials 50
Selecting screening materials 51
Protecting Your Beehives with Paint and More 51
Estimating the Amounts and Costs of Materials 52
Chapter 4: Fine-Tuning Your Carpentry Skills 55
Always Adhering to the Bee Space 55
Measuring and Marking Lumber 56
Cutting Lumber 58
What's Up with This Joint? 59
Butt joints 59
Rabbet cuts and dado joints 60
Finger joints 61
Working with Flashing and Wire 63
Cutting and bending metal flashing 63
Cutting and shaping wire hardware cloth 64
Assembling the Parts of Your Hive 65
Going with glue 65
Being square 65
Nailing and screwing everything together 66