Abelo Underfloor Stand Entrance - How to Make an Underfloor Stand - Prevent Wasp Attacks

[@5Bird5]

Great idea. It seems crazy to build a stand and then a floor for the hive. A suggested improvement - careful placing of the shims will also block the potential top entrance from between the hives.

[@rstlr01]

Definitely going to make one of these for putting poly Nucs on. I will probably do solid bottom or maybe poly inserts to over winter. Great video.

[@Sageandbellflowerhoneybees]

This looks like a cracking idea for someone like me who is starting up and expanding to keep costs down especially if you make the legs and don't buy them. Thanks Laurence!

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Yep. Definitely a neat option - especially if you can make them yourself!

[@beebob1279]

I would imagine the legs he’s using are expensive. Yep, just make your own. I don’t see things like this in the states. It’s why I look around for different ideas

[@JimCinUK]

I like the idea & in particular the cost saving of not buying a floor. However a little bit more tricky if you have top bee space boxes. I believe the Abelo 6 frame nuc & new 12 frame national are top bee space. Guess you would need to build an 8mm frame to sit between the box & stand?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Very good point Jim. Not compatible with the 12 frame unless you add risers to the BB and convert to BBS or add strips to the floor.

[@lourensklopper4217]

AMAZING!!

[@roystheboy]

great stand and mod to it you could even put at the 2 ends

[@fiat500cinq]

I'm going to adapt some of my own simple designed stands to do this, but I might use a solid floor of plywood or PIR. I think it's genius.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Cheers Peter. I have filmed a follow up on a standard stand (not the Abelo one) and its works just as well (and lots cheaper)!

[@fiat500cinq]

I've made a single stand using these principles and a few points have arisen. 1. You really need to put the 8mm shims/spacers at exact 460mm centres in order to avoid giving robbers an easy way to sidestep the entrance. 2. You need to be fairly accurate with assembly, particularly with the front piece which creates the vertical entrance. You don't want the hive sitting on poorly aligned timber which leaves large gaps through which robbers could gain entrance. 3. With bottom bee-space hives there is a much reduced space between the bottom of the frames and the floor. With top-bee-space, as far as I can work out, there would be no gap between frames and floor.

[@Sageandbellflowerhoneybees]

@@BlackMountainHoney are you able to tell me which video the follow up is please? I can't find it!

[@matthewshaw3470]

I think that’s a very good design. I’ve not seen the advantage of those stands before they always seemed to expensive to me but I think you may have changed my mind about them.

[@beebob1279]

I think the metal bracket is the expensive part. What a cool design. No bending over and straining the back

[@barrymoore8228]

Splendid innovation!

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks Barry. I'm going to do one that isn't based on the Abelo stand as well, just to keep the costs down! 😉

[@pupsandcrochet57]

I just found you. So I’m a newbie and have to catch up. I luv honey it really helps with my medical conditions. I think it’s interesting to see where it comes from.

[@jamespollock2500]

next time cut to length. fold the side edge over using the shims and side to hold the extra down the length of the side. From the amount you cut it would eliminate the jagged edge of the mesh exposed either way.

[@baybeeslancashire]

Great idea Laurence, might try this at Bay Bee's allotment apriay !!

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Let me know if you give it a try :D

[@bluelab5019]

The only change I'd make is to make that front piece of wood maybe 5" so it kind of gives a vertical landing board. Other than that I think it's a cracking idea. I've used your underfloor entrances on my hives all season and they have been unfaulable. Nothing except the resident bees can work them out.

[@beebob1279]

I’ve been watching your under entrance videos. Wow!!! I don’t see things like this in the states I mentioned in another video of yours about maybe adding flashing to the entrance to prevent mice from chewing in. Have you had this issue with mice?

[@kathyhathaway8823]

How do you close off the bottom of the hive if and when you need to treat for mites or close it off in the winter season. ??

[@BlackMountainHoney]

You could add a screened bottom board if you like. Foam bungs for closing the colonies if required

[@josephvogel7234]

Please do an update on this next season. My concern is that the bees will not know the difference between actually being in the hive and being below the hive. I have seen screened bottom boards that have comb and half of the hive dangling below the screen.

[@markmurphy8303]

Hi Lawrence mate, question for you do you sell your overwintered nucs in a langstroth configuration I ask as your website only shows national hives . I like your hive stand great idea with the entrance built in.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Only nationals I'm afraid

[@markmurphy8303]

@@BlackMountainHoney ok Mate thanks I’m all langstroth, I like the look of your nucs especially with the F1 buckfast queen would like to add more of there genetics into my apiaries.

[@beebob1279]

This design would work with the Layens or long hives.

[@temijinkahn511]

How does the underfloor entrance reduce wasp attacks?

[@ndneildean]

Whats the benefits of the mesh floor compared to a solid floor ?

[@matthunt4512]

Greater ventilation and all the cappings and debris just falls to the ground.

[@ndneildean]

@@matthunt4512 is it ok to have that mesh base over winter aswell i dont get snow where i am just frost

[@matthunt4512]

@@ndneildean yes , that's the best way I do them. I live in Kentucky

[@stephendawes7016]

In Aus we still are veroa free. With increasing global trade we can only hope to delay it for as long as possible . Plenty breeding research to get veroa resistant bees. There is a big push to avoid absolutely drugs of any kind in the bee industry and let the bees do the heavy lifting.......('raw' honey !!!). Unfortunately around 2002 SHB arrived to add to the other normal hassles such as AFB, EFB, CB etc. At this time of year it's a full on battle managing our hives to help the bees beat them. Would like some info on your mesh system please: 1. what size hole?, gauge?stainless or mild steel? 2. Currently experimenting with approx 3.6mm hole mesh fixed to a separate base. As the SHB fly in the bees chase them down into tray of water/oil set up below the mesh to drown them.... and wax moth, cappings etc etc. Still get a few beetles in the hive but if the colony is strong they don't get to be a problem (hopefully) when put stickies back in after extraction or when have a swarm. How is the mesh you guys use meant to work with veroa?

[@Cubrider]

Yes its fine. I get frost and snow and the open mesh floor makes no difference. ​@ndneildean

[@shanehamilton95]

Are you still using this floor type

[@lymitutit3046]

And what if the metallic mesh start bending ? Robbery ? I'm very sceptic over this innovation. The problems which it is supposed to solve can be solve also in very easy way with a traditional hive. Anyway.. it is a good idea to experiment, try, new innovations and see what are the real advantage and disadvantages. In my opinion this kind of stand , create more problems that it solves. I'm very curieus to see what wold be the ' output' of this experiment. I really hope I'm wrong on my first impression.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Metallic roster banding??? Plenty of people use these stands or stands like these. Plenty of people use separate underfloor entrances or regular floors. This innovation removes the requirements for a separate floor. In the Poly hive world that's £20-£25 per hive saved (which pays for the stand!) There is no real additional benefits over UFE's other than the removal of the floor as a cost saving exercise.

[@lymitutit3046]

@@BlackMountainHoney I meant .. ' bending'

[@fiat500cinq]

I would add some strengthening battens under the mesh, at intervals where the edges of the boxes make contact.

[@inthewoods6857]

can not see how this saves money .at£125..plus timber ..mesh....must be over £200uk.

[@mannycowen8357]

I've given this a 3 year testing period and it's a pain in the arse and serves no benefit