Join the new world

The most important feature of a beehive of plastic is the material from which they are made. Some manufacturers produce polyurethane hive, but usually you can obtain one from the cast polystyrene. High density polystyrene beehive is about 10x denser than that used for packaging, and 20x denser than that used for building insulation. At a density of 100 g / L, for the polystyrene hive is about 2x thicker than that used for motorcycle helmets. Such a technology products firm, smooth and permanent hive. Top polystyrene hives are made by casting, not glued, so for them there are no structural defects caused millimeter difference in measuring and cutting wood at. Wooden hives additionally must consolidate screws. Because of the physical characteristics of HD polystyrene, these hives are lighter than wood, yet are better insulators. Price polystyrene sets in the world is the same as charcoal (65-110EUR), but it does not rot like wood, better thermal conductivity and low temperatures, and in the case of high temperature. Styrofoam hives do not need a waterproof coating to make them waterproof. Water does not enter into such a hive, and good thick walls keep the heat in the cold winter months. Produced polystyrene hives of various shapes and sizes, suitable for plastic frames, or those compatible with traditional wooden frames.
In the world

A large number of beekeepers in Europe already use Styrofoam hive, but in most European countries, they still have not defeated by the popularity of wooden hives. Thus, even in the U.S.. In Germany, a good part of Belgium and the Netherlands have long been successfully used hive of Styrofoam. They call them Segeberger there. In Norway polystyrene hives sold just as well as wood. They are in Norway to 30% cheaper because wood contains additional insulation for the cold winter.

Styrofoam is air-tight and the cold on the inner walls of the hives can appear water droplets. Reduced air flow causes the retention of moisture and condensation inside the hive. Wooden beehives on the other hand, allow the flow of air into the hive, regardless of the lower-plate surfaces. This problem can be solved in two ways: if you make a ventilation shaft at the top of the hive, or you can use the floor that has a large air grille and enhances ventilation.
When cleaning stiropornih hives should take into account the use of resources that do not contain solvents as these could damage the hive. Some manufacturers recommen😛 - Any excess deposited wax and propolis are carefully scraped with polystyrene walls. After the whole hive immersed in sodium carbonate solution (1kg to 5L of water) with the addition of a few drops of dishwashing detergent, wash and dry. When you have removed the dirt, polystyrene hives can be sterilized in hypochlorite household bleach. Concentration used bleach should not be higher than 0.5%. By comparison, wooden hives should fry burner or immersed in liquid paraffin, which is a lengthy process.
Some beekeepers who have tried Styrofoam beekeeping hives appear that it is sometimes difficult to separate the frames from the hive beekeeping chisel in these hives. If you use too much force, it is possible to create a crack. Because the edges of extensions before use can be coated with vaseline to prevent sticking propolis.
Stiropornih hive cover is lighter and some beekeepers fear that stronger winds ga not blown away. Therefore, hives, or related to the top raises difficult subject. Later, the bees will cover the paste.
Some beekeepers are against the use of plastic materials in beekeeping with the thought that beekeeping is the best one that best mimics the conditions of nature. And since bees in nature live in wood, the man should get the most similar conditions.
Plastics that are no longer used should know how to properly dispose of. Styrofoam can be taken to recycling centers. Also, if the bees are infected with American or European foulbrood brood, the hive should be destroyed in the incinerator because it is not allowed to burn out Styrofoam (bisphenol). Wooden beehives on the other hand, can be incinerated without restriction.
If the domestic Fowl (or wild birds) are granted unrestricted access to the apiary, keep in mind that chicks peck like polystyrene and polyurethane (we only have data for the plain styrofoam, but not for the high density).
Beehives are tantalizing mice in the winter. Manufacturers of HD polystyrene hives claim mice rejected extravagant claims Styrofoam. They are trying to hive then penetrate through the holes, but the door through which the bees entering with the intent prevent grating.
If it bothers beekeeper white Styrofoam hive eventually turn yellow, they are often for aesthetic reasons in natural shades of colors. They are used in water-based paints that do not contain solvent (solvent). Some manufacturers recommend latex paint colors.

Benefits stiropornih hives

Styrofoam hives are lighter than wooden hives. You will save your back when bringing Styrofoam box filled with honey hive in relation to the carriage of wooden hives.
Durability of high density polystyrene to guarantee over 30 years. Wooden hives absorb moisture and after a while it will rot. As they may be well-protected coating, wood is porous polystyrene foam, and weather conditions will encroach ga. Styrofoam, on the other hand, photolysis resistant, does not change shape and not go down. In stiropornih hives are caused by the action of sunlight occurs only change color.
In the winter months, Styrofoam wrapped hives do not need to preserve heat. Due to the good insulating properties Styrofoam, bees will take less time to spend on heating / cooling the hive, and more on collecting nectar. The result will be increased honey production and for up to 25%.
Molded polystyrene hives propolizaciju greatly reduced because there is a lot of cracks, poor sealing that bees need to fill propolis. According to one study, the amount of propolis produced in styrofoam is reduced by up to 75% compared to the wooden hive.
Polystyrene hives are waterproof unlike wooden hives that have a special coating to prevent water entering the hive and gnjiljenja. In the north of the beekeepers are forced to isolate wooden hive wrapping them in paper, or move them to shelters for the winter.
It takes less supplementary feeding for overwintering bees society because they use less energy for heating the hive during the winter.
Styrofoam is not out of joint as a tree, or change shape.
If using polystyrene hives, less working hours will be spent to maintain the beekeeper, less work around uzimljivanja and warmth.
Bees move in the first spring flight 2-3 weeks earlier if the winter in stiropornoj hive.
Daily throughout pašnog period, bees from hives stiropornih out early in the morning to pasture.
Warming beehives that allow Styrofoam wall will result in hot wall and outer frames of fruiting bodies so nuts lijegati eggs in all settings, not just in the central framework which is the case in wooden hives.

They say beekeepers who have tried to work with the hives?

Our renowned beekeeper from Zagorje Mr. John Curis had the opportunity polystyrene keeping bees in hives. Here's what he says: - Regarding stiropornih hives, I really era starts on keeping bees in them. I made 10 sets of LR stiropornih bee hives and I kept them in the two seasons. Companies are wintered them better, consumers are less food than society in wooden hives. Temperature above the litter never fell below 2 ˚ C while the outside was and -14 ˚ C. At the end of the third month had more litter box from 1 to 1.5. In the summer months when the temperature exceeded 41 ˚ C and in the hives did not exceed 38 ˚ C. Moisture in the winter was not much, just something on the walls. Ventilation is on the floor.

Most beekeepers who have tried to work with Styrofoam hive is considered a better solution than wood regardless of its shape, size, price and shortcomings. Styrofoam hives in winter is warmer, moisture, temperature in the area around the litter does not fall below 4 ˚ C which is ideal for wintering bees. Society is very early in develop strong community with lower consumption of honey in the winter and in the development of hives because no heat is lost, so that we can use for a maximum of the first spring pasture. Winter bees live longer because in the winter they consume less food. Less manure is collected in the gut and do not need so many winter trips. In the summer months due to the ventilation grille on the bottom (floor) hive ventilation is perfect, and Styrofoam protects against heat, so it looks like a beehive, "climate". In times of strong major bash more bees go out to pasture because they had to heat brood. The polystyrene is not fed spores, bacteria, viruses and so much reduced bee diseases, polystyrene can be called the eco. According to the experiences of other beekeepers hives within stiropornoj hive brings 25 to 35% more honey than the wooden hives. The amount of work with the bees in the hive season with polystyrene is lower by 25% than with wood. This raises the question of why we, as beekeepers do not we use more of our bees, says Mr. Curis, a longtime producer of honey and bee venom.
I'm sure you can make a polystyrene hive?

Polystyrene hives that are popular in northern Europe, are made in the process of casting molds. If, creating a hive gluing pieces will inevitably appear some cracks, bumps and imperfections. Also, are made of polystyrene HD (sometimes polyurethane) high density over 100kg/m3. So, to produce their own hive of similar quality in Croatia, experiencing two major problems; need to have a mechanism for casting and molds for the hive, and you should be able to find a solid polystyrene (which we did not succeed). Mr. Curis from OPG's "Happy Bee" beekeepers who for over 35 years sai😛-The question is why can not I keep bees in styrofoam, the only reason for me is that in our country we can not buy Styrofoam density greater than 35 kg / m3. Also, construction Styrofoam is not good for making hives because it contains components against fire, and they are carcinogenic. Styrofoam hardness of bees bite of the season and through the puncture hole. However, one of our young beekeeper hive produced a Styrofoam lined water-resistant plywood, and I think that this is so far the best hives in Croatia.
Can these hives and get to Croatia?

Yes, recently, Mr. Marijan Trnski from the company Contectum Ltd. representative of the Finnish manufacturer stiropornih hives Paradise Honey Ltd from Finland. He says Mr. Trnski:-I am glad to increase interest in a product that has been with us for some time represented at the fairs with the huge interest of the visitors, but they never came to market. These hives are made of extremely solid density 110kg/m3 foam (40kg/m3 as opposed to that used for making bad copies) which allows them permanence and stability. Price hive (floor, continuing 3LR, guards, feeders and cover), without the box will be £ 720-740, and the frame around 15kn/kom. Prices are higher than traditional materials, but when we take into account the expenditure planning easier because of less damage or deterioration of equipment, every serious beekeeper will want to try at least a couple of hives and frames, which give excellent results and at a much nezahvalnijim climates than ours. The first shipment is expected in the second half of March or early April. Beehives will be launched in Bjelovar and subscriptions and orders for the first shipment may occur at 099 / 247-1142 or contectum.doo @ gmail.com.

Many beekeepers who have crossed the foam, do not want more back, and on the other hand, many who use wooden refuse to use Styrofoam. Both technologies have their beekeeping advantages and disadvantages, depending on the climate and the end product of beekeeping. The most important thing is to have complete information.

* The name "Styrofoam" is an eponym in our country are often used to describe all of polystyrene material. It is otherwise brand expanded polystyrene protected by BASF 1951st year. To create a beehive is used polystyrene high particle density.