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Styrofoam hives have not yet received mass recognition by domestic beekeepers, but are already found in private apiaries. Compared to wood, polystyrene is much lighter, not afraid of dampness, and has lower thermal conductivity. However, PPS is fragile and its chemical origin is not always welcomed by beekeepers.
Important characteristics of foam hives
In beekeeping, polystyrene foam hives are not very common. The material is more used in construction for thermal insulation. A new type of houses is still being tested by private beekeepers. It should be noted right away that polystyrene foam and polystyrene are outwardly similar materials, but differ in characteristics and production method. Styrofoam is the least suitable for making hives due to its lower density, susceptibility to crumbling into small balls. Penoplex is a representative of expanded polystyrene.
If we consider these materials as a whole, then the hives from them are warm. In winter, houses can be left uncovered, and in summer, foam plastic walls protect the bees from the heat. In addition, PPS has high soundproofing properties. Silence is always maintained inside the foam hive, the bees are constantly calm.
A big plus is the resistance of foam, PPS and foam plastic to moisture. Hives are able to stay in the rain for a long time. Compared to wood, the material is resistant to swelling, decay, and deformation. PPS does not absorb moisture. After rain, the hive remains just as light and can be easily moved to another place.
Prefabricated PPS hives are easy to use. First, they are lightweight. A foam hive can be maintained by one person. Secondly, the parts of the collapsible design are interchangeable. If one element breaks, it is replaced rather than buying a new hive.
Benefits of PPS hives
Positive features reflect the reviews of the Styrofoam hives left by professional beekeepers. Ukrainian beekeeper Nakhaev N. N. found many advantages in using PPS hives in the spring. From personal observations, the beekeeper concluded that bees develop better in a foam plastic house than inside a wooden structure. Styrofoam has poor thermal conductivity. It is easier for bees to maintain an optimal microclimate for brood development.
When the inside of the hive is warm, the bees use less energy. Accordingly, feed consumption is reduced. In PPS hives, productivity increases. The apiary brings more income.
An important plus is the convenience of transporting the hives. Styrofoam, polystyrene foam and foam plastic are very light materials. Hives are easy to carry, go to nature to increase the bribe.
Disadvantages of foam hives
Penoplex hives have a number of disadvantages. They are connected not with the technology of keeping bees, but with the maintenance of the house. PPS and polystyrene are brittle. Inaccurate disassembly of the body leads to breaking of the connecting folds. The process of cleaning propolis is difficult. Scraping it with a chisel will not work. Propolis will peel off along with grains of foam or PPS.
Do not use a blowtorch to disinfect the hive. Styrofoam and polystyrene foam are highly flammable. You will need to additionally buy special disinfectants. The solution is used harmless to bees, foam plastic, foam plastic and PPS.
The light weight of foam creates not only advantages when transporting beehives, but also brings many inconveniences. The houses have to be pulled together with soft straps, otherwise the wind will scatter the hulls. In the apiary, the lids of the PPS hives must be pressed with stones or bricks. Without fixing, they will be blown away by the wind.
How does the material affect the quality of honey
The first to appear were Polish and Finnish polystyrene beehives, and later domestic manufacturers began to use foam plastic for the manufacture of houses. The beekeepers were wary of the novelty. After all, styrene tends to accumulate in the body of bees and their waste products. However, the harmfulness of PPS hives has not been scientifically confirmed. If there are accumulations of styrene, then they are in a scanty safe amount.
In production, foam, polystyrene, polystyrene foam is tested for toxicity by SES services. In European countries, the material is allowed for the production of houses. Examinations have proved that expanded polystyrene does not impair the quality of honey.
How to make a beehive from PPS with your own hands
To assemble a homemade polystyrene foam hive, you will need to choose the right material. It is optimal to stop on plates with a thickness of 50 mm. It is important to pay attention to the density of foam or foam. The higher the indicator, the stronger the material, the higher the sound insulation, the lower the thermal conductivity. When choosing plates, it is better to give preference to foam or expanded polystyrene. They can be recognized by their porous structure, resembling a foam rubber sponge. Styrofoam consists of small balls that crumble from abrasion by hand.
When assembling beehives from polystyrene foam with your own hands, drawings are a must. PPS boards are expensive. The drawings will help to optimally calculate the required number of expanded polystyrene sheets, economically cut the fragments.
Styrofoam hive drawings
The easiest option is to make a 6-frame beehive from PPS using foam sheets. Experienced beekeepers often use expanded polystyrene to assemble cores and dadans. If desired, you can make a sunbed. A multi-hull hive with 10 frames measuring 450×375 mm is considered common.
Do-it-yourself penoplex hive drawings for 16 frames 435×300 mm in size are more suitable for professionals. The house has a nest compartment (690x540x320 mm), a half-frame magazine (690x540x165 mm). The cover and bottom of the PPS hive have dimensions of 690x540x80 mm. Aperture size 450x325x25 mm. The Dobrynya + modular house, produced by a domestic manufacturer, has similar parameters.
Preparation of tools and materials
First, materials are bought to make a hive. You will need PPS plates. The standard size of a foam sheet is 1,2×0,6 m. Glue, liquid nails, self-tapping screws up to 70 mm long are used to fasten the elements. So that the inner folds under the frames do not break off, they are reinforced with metal corners. To draw a drawing and transfer the fragments to the penoplex, you will need whatman paper.
Tools will require:
- ruler 100 cm long;
- marker;
- sharp clerical knife;
- fine-grained sandpaper.
Additionally, you will need a steel mesh with small cells to cover the ventilation holes.
Assembly process
A homemade house of teaching staff is assembled in the following sequence:
- a diagram is drawn on a Whatman paper, fragments are cut out, transferred to a foam sheet;
- the expanded polystyrene plate is cut with a knife according to the applied markings;
- cut parts are polished with sandpaper;
- elements of the front and rear walls of the house are equipped with folds for laying frames;
- the cut parts are glued, the joints are reinforced with self-tapping screws with a pitch of 120 mm;
- on the outside of the hive in the penoplex, recesses are cut out for the handles.
The assembled house is pulled together with straps until the glue is completely solidified. The remaining gaps are filled with mounting foam.
Final stage of work
After 1-3 days, the glue should completely harden. The hive is released from the belts. Ventilation openings are covered with a steel mesh. Internal folds under the frame are pasted over with a metal corner. Outside, the PPS hive is painted with water-based facade paint.
Features of keeping bees in polystyrene foam hives
Hives made of polystyrene foam and foam plastic are not brought into the winter hut, otherwise the insects will become steamed. Winter houses on the street. The hives are pressed against each other by sidewalls for optimal heat retention. In spring, the increased activity of bees will come earlier than in wooden houses. Early brood will appear. At this time, it is important to open the vents to remove moisture. In summer, the bottom of expanded polystyrene is optimally replaced with a mesh.
If there are wooden beehives in the apiary, then it is better to plant strong families there. Weakened layers are left in foam or polystyrene houses. The nests are not insulated for the winter. Outside, the hive is constantly kept painted with a color emulsion, otherwise the PPS will begin to disappear under the sun.
Conclusion
Styrofoam hives are the best solution for keeping weakened families. In winter, an optimal microclimate is maintained inside the house, insects spend less energy, save food.
Reviews of beekeepers about polystyrene foam hives
