Omshanik for bees

Omshanik resembles a barn, but differs in its internal structure. In order for the wintering of bees to be successful, the building must be properly equipped. There are options for omshaniks that are more reminiscent of a cellar or a basement partially buried in the ground. To build a winter hut for bees of any design is within the power of every beekeeper.

What is omshanik

If we give a precise definition, then omshanik is an insulated outbuilding, equipped for winter storage of hives with bees. During the entire cold period, the beekeeper enters the wintering house a maximum of 4 times. The visit is associated with a sanitary inspection. The beekeeper checks the hives, looks for rodents and mold on the houses.

Winterers usually build small ones. There should be enough interior space to accommodate the hives with bees and a small passage so that the beekeeper can inspect. For example, the dimensions of the omshannik for 30 bee colonies reach 18 m.². The height of the ceiling is made up to 2,5 m. To reduce the area of ​​the hive, they can be placed in tiers; for this, racks, shelves, and other devices are equipped inside the building. In summer, the winter hut is empty. It is used instead of a barn or storage.

What are the winterers

According to the type of installation, there are three types of omshaniki for bees:

1. Ground-mounted winter hut resembles an ordinary barn. The building is often erected by novice beekeepers who are not confident in the further development of their business. The construction of an above-ground winter hut is less labor-intensive and requires small financial investments. With all the efforts to insulate the storage, in severe frosts it will have to be heated.
2. Experienced beekeepers prefer underground winter huts. The building resembles a large cellar. The construction of a winter hut is laborious, since it is necessary to dig a deep pit. You will have to hire earthmoving equipment, which entails additional costs. However, a positive temperature is constantly maintained inside the underground omshanik. Even in severe frosts, it does not need to be heated.
3. Combined winter hut for bees combines two previous designs. The building resembles a semi-basement, buried in the ground along the windows to a depth of 1,5 m. The combined winter hut is placed on a site where there is a threat of groundwater flooding. It is more convenient to enter the partially buried basement due to the smaller number of steps. The presence of windows provides the interior space with natural light, but at the same time, heat loss increases.

If an underground or combined type of pit is chosen for construction, the location of groundwater is calculated not to the surface of the earth, but to the floor level. The indicator must be at least 1 m. Otherwise, there is a risk of flooding. Inside the winter hut there will always be dampness, which is harmful to the bees.

Omshanik requirements

To build a good omshanik with your own hands, you need to know the requirements for construction:

1. The size of the storage for bees should correspond to the number of hives. The houses are neatly arranged. If multi-tiered storage of hives is provided, racks are made. Additionally, they think about the future expansion of the apiary. So that later you do not have to complete the construction of the winter hut, it is immediately made large. Spare space is temporarily fenced off with a partition to reduce heat loss. Optimally for single-wall hives, allocate about 0,6 m³ premises. A minimum of 1 m is allocated for double-walled sunbeds³ space. It is impossible to underestimate the size of storage for bees. In cramped conditions it is inconvenient to serve the hive. Excess space will lead to large heat losses.
2. The roof must be made with a slope so that precipitation does not accumulate. Roofing material use slate, roofing material. The roof is insulated to the maximum with natural materials: straw, reeds. If the winter house is located near the forest, the roof can be covered with spruce branches.
3. There is usually only one entrance. Through additional doors, heat loss will increase. Two entrances are made in a large omshannik, where more than 300 hives with bees will winter.
4. In addition to the roof, they insulate all the structural elements of the omshanik, especially for the above-ground and combined winter hut. To make the bees feel comfortable in the cold, the walls are insulated with foam plastic or mineral wool. The floor is laid from the board, raising the lags from the ground by 20 cm.
5. There will be enough natural lighting through the windows for the combined and above-ground wintering. A cable is laid in the underground omshanik for bees, a lantern is hung up. Strong lighting is not necessary for bees. 1 light bulb is enough, but the beekeeper needs it more.
6. Ventilation is a must. Dampness accumulates inside the winter hut, which is harmful to bees. Especially the level of humidity is increased in the underground storage. Natural ventilation is equipped with air ducts installed at different ends of the omshanik.

If all requirements are met, an optimal microclimate for bees will be maintained inside the winter hut.

What temperature should be in omshanik in winter

Inside the winter hut, the bees must constantly maintain a positive temperature. Optimal score + 5 ^оC. If the thermometer drops below, equip the artificial heating of the bees.

How to build an above-ground honeycomb for bees

The easiest option for a winter hut is a ground-type building. Most often, ready-made structures are adapted. They make an omshanik from a greenhouse, a barn, an apiary canopy. With the onset of heat, the hives with bees are taken out, and the building is used for its intended purpose.

If there is no empty structure on the site, the construction of a winter hut begins. Collect elevated omshanik from a tree. Natural material is a good insulation, which eliminates the need for laying additional layers of thermal insulation.

For omshanik, a dry area not flooded by sewage is chosen. It is advisable to find a place protected from drafts. The foundation of the winter hut is made of pillars. They are dug in to a depth of 80 cm in steps of 1-1,5 m. The pillars rise 20 cm above ground level and are located in the same plane.

On the foundation, a frame is laid out of timber, logs are nailed in 60 cm increments, and the floor is laid from the board. It turns out a wooden platform in the form of a large shield. The racks of the frame of the winter hut and the upper harness are similarly made of timber. Immediately provide for the location of windows and doors in the omshanik for bees. Sheathing of the frame is carried out with a board. The roof is easier to make a shed. You can try to build a gable roof for the winter hut, then the attic space can be used to store bee equipment.

How to build an underground shed

The most insulated room for wintering bees is considered to be underground. However, it is difficult and expensive to build it. The main difficulty lies in digging a pit and erecting walls.

For underground omshanika choose a site with a deep occurrence of groundwater. Elevations are preferred so that the basement does not flood with rain even during the melting of snow. They dig a pit with a depth of 2,5 m. The width and length depend on the number of hives with bees.

The bottom of the pit is leveled, rammed, covered with a pillow of sand and gravel. A reinforcing mesh is laid on brick supports, poured with concrete. The solution is allowed to dry for about a week. One of the walls of the pit is cut at an angle, and the entrance is equipped. In the future, steps are laid out here.

The walls of the omshanika for bees are laid out of brick, cinder block or poured monolithic from concrete. In the latter option, it will be necessary to erect formwork along the perimeter of the pit, to mount a reinforcing frame made of rods. Before erecting the walls of the winter hut from any material, the walls of the pit are covered with roofing material. The material will serve as a waterproofing, protect the omshanik from the penetration of dampness. Simultaneously with the erection of walls, the steps of the winter hut are equipped. They can also be poured out of concrete or laid out with a cinder block.

When the walls of the omshanik are completed, a roof frame is created. It should protrude slightly from the ground, and is made at a slope. For the frame, use a bar or a metal pipe. Sheathing is carried out with a board. From above, the roof is covered with roofing material. You can additionally lay slate. For insulation, reeds and spruce branches are thrown on top.

To arrange ventilation in the roof, holes are cut on opposite sides of the omshanik. Air ducts are inserted from a plastic pipe, and protective caps are put on top. When the winter hut for bees is built with their own hands, they proceed to the internal arrangement: they lay the floor, install racks, and conduct lighting.

How to build a semi-underground omshanik with your own hands

A combined winter hut for bees is erected similarly to an underground omshan. The depth of the pit is dug about 1,5 m. To the ground level, the walls are driven out of concrete, brick or cinder block. Above, you can continue the construction of a similar material or install a wooden frame. A simpler option is based on assembling a frame from a bar and cladding with a board according to the principle of elevated construction. The roof of the winter hut is equipped with a single-pitched or double-pitched roof as desired.

Important nuances when building a winter road

In order for the wintering of bees in Omshanik to be successful, it is necessary to create a favorable microclimate. You can achieve good results if you properly insulate the building, organize ventilation, heating.

How to make ventilation in omshanik

The bees hibernate in the club, and the association occurs when the thermometer’s thermometer drops below + 8 ^оC. Insects inside the hive keep themselves warm. Bees emit heat due to the process of decomposition of sugars from consumed top dressings. However, carbon dioxide is released along with the heat. Its concentration can reach 3%. In addition, with the breath of bees, steam is released, which increases the level of humidity. Excess carbon dioxide and steam are harmful to insects.

Bees are quite wise and in the hives they independently equip ventilation. Insects leave the right number of holes. Through the ducts, a portion of fresh air enters the bees into the hives. Carbon dioxide and steam are brought out and accumulated in the pit. At a high concentration, the bees weaken, consume a lot of food. Insects become restless due to a disorder in the digestive system.

The removal of moisture with carbon dioxide is organized through the ventilation system. It is best to make it adjustable with dampers. In a large hood, it is optimal to equip the hood with a fan. In order to draw out only the dirty air under the ceiling, a screen is attached under the duct.

The most popular ventilation system for bees is the supply and exhaust system. The winter house is equipped with two air ducts located in opposite parts of the room. Pipes lead to the street. The hood is cut off under the ceiling, leaving a protrusion of 20 cm. The supply pipe is lowered to the floor, leaving a gap of 30 cm.

The simplest ventilation scheme is one pipe, brought out into the street and cut off under the ceiling inside the omshanik. However, the system works fine only in winter. In the spring, air exchange stops completely. You can solve the problem only by installing a fan inside the duct.

How to insulate omshanik with foam plastic

The heating of the omshanik, most often made of electric heaters, helps to maintain the positive temperature. However, poor insulation of the winter hut will lead to heat loss, increased consumption of electricity for heating. Thermal insulation of the roof from the inside of the omshanik is optimally performed with foam. Sheets can be bought or pieces can be taken from the packaging of household appliances. The foam is fixed with mounting foam, pressed with wooden planks or stretched wire. You can sew up the insulation with plywood, but the cost of arranging the omshanik will increase.

If the winter hut is of an above-ground type, the walls can be insulated with polystyrene foam. The technology is similar. Sheets are inserted between the racks of the frame, sewn up with fiberboard, plywood or other sheet material.

If the underground pit is completely poured out of concrete, all structural elements are covered with waterproofing. Suitable roofing material, mastic or hot bitumen. Styrofoam sheets are attached to the waterproofing, and the sheathing is on top.

After warming, heating may be superfluous. The bees do not need high temperature. It is optimal to install a thermostat for the omshanik, which will regulate the on and off of electric heaters. Inside the winter hut, the set temperature is constantly set, automatically maintained without the participation of the beekeeper.

Preparing bees for wintering in omshanik

There is no exact date for sending bees to Omshanik. It all depends on the air temperature. Beekeepers individually take into account the climatic conditions of their area. It is useful for bees to stay outside longer. When at night the thermometer steadily drops below zero, and during the day it does not rise above + 4 ^оC, it’s time to move the hives. For most regions, this period begins on October 25. Usually, before November 11, the hives with bees must be brought into the omshanik.

Before drifting the houses, the omshanik is dried inside. Walls, floor and ceiling are treated with a solution of lime. Prepare shelving. Before the drift, the room is cooled so that the bees brought from the street do not feel the temperature difference. The hives are transferred carefully with closed entrances. When all the houses are brought in, they increase the ventilation of the omshanik. During this period, it is necessary to remove the dampness formed from the condensate that has appeared on the surface of the hives. Letka open after a couple of days, when the bees become calmer.

Conclusion

Omshanik is necessary for a beekeeper living in an area with a harsh climate. Wintering under shelter, bees recover faster in spring, do not lose their ability to work.