So I needed a 4 foot tube for my bees to exit on the other side of a hedge. This lets the public view the hive without any chance of bee/human interaction at the hive entrance. (The other side of the hedge is 20 feet from any human path.)
Here are pictures: https://imgur.com/a/Nh6Qz
Let me know what you think!
I’m a little concerned this won’t provide a large enough entrance for the bees during a strong honey flow.
Our local zoo has a wonderful observation hive with a set up just like this. They have been using it since I was a girl and seem to have no problem. Looks like you did a good job setting it up thoughtfully.
The tube at the zoo looks to be around 2".
I would put all the holes at >90 degrees from the top to prevent water intrusion and holes at the bottom for drainage…just in case.
I think the tube is a great idea and will work brilliantly!
Hi Bobby, I think that setup would be fine for a nuc size colony in an observation hive. I think it would be too small if you want the hive to get to full strength. I’d be inclined to have 3 in the summer & maybe 1 or 2 in the winter. I wouldn’t bother with the landing board. Maybe just cut the end of the pipe on a 30 deg angle. That will give them all the landing board they need. I have always been a bit mean to my bees, I’ve never given them a landing board.
Do you think this tube will be big enough for a full strength hive?
Hi William, that tube will be heaps big enough:) It will also be nice to watch them coming & going. Well done.
Kinda cracking up here because that is big enough for radioactive mutant super hero honey bees ; -)
Very cool!
Here’s the final resting place of the hive! The tube goes through the hedge. More pictures to come!
One question that came up when I was installing the hive was potential for wind to knock the hive over. Houston can get pretty windy. Do you think bolting the legs of the stand to the concrete is necessary? Also, I know the bees use propolis to stick the hive together, but do you think any reinforcement between the boxes is necessary?
Also, we plan to paint the stand bright blue. 
Here’s a video of the girls in their tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LCiSiUdKA0
That is very, very cool!
