I do not have bees but I been looking in to it for years and I will get me some hives for sure. My area is really cold with long cold winters so insulated layens should work good for me. The nice part is that in my country we do not have hive beetles at all. They just do not exist her. So beetles will never be a problem. I will def go for the topbars that touch.
I made the same reasoning and I have just finished painting 6 of them....even the queen cattle part. The difference that I made was regarding the Layens hive itself. I chose ago build a 31 frame hive with three entrance. Think of the versatility of what you can do in that size of a hive. Thank you for your video.
My extractor won't fit a layen's frame so I opted to turn my langs' vertical and mimic the layens. Now I am repurposing my lang deep boxes using my vertical lang frames. My old lang deep boxes now are all getting changed to 10 frame vert langs/nuke/swarm traps. I'm done with the lang set up. The mod is a challenge but if I want I can put three converted langs together and have a 30 frame box.
For hive beetles in my 60 lang 5 and 8 frames bottom bds I have a large plastic jar lid in back of the bottom board, hole saw cut to fit lid in,1/8 hardware cloth inside over lid i use mineral oil in lid with a one screw pivot board under box to hold lid tight to screen. I am building 20 frames langs with 2 of them in bottom. Starting Layens builds and they will have them also. They catch a lot of beetles. Like your layens nuc / trap boxes will build some thanks for your vids. OldDan
Great video. I've built several 2 frame layens nucs that have worked very well. The solution to the beetles is by using 3/4 pex pipe for the entrance instead of conventional entrances. No beetles so far.
So what do you use at present, Langstroth or Layens? Langstroth requires you to lift a whole super which can be very heavy whereas Layens you need to lift out a frame so it's lighter. I am thinking of making some, setting up jig is worthwhile if we make more of them as I have equipment if we want to pool our resources in UK.
Brit here, but now livi g in Ohio. Layens are: the more suitable management system UNLESS you are a commercial keeper who transports hives to vineyards and orchards... then stick to langstroth. Warning.. switching to layens is a complete switch, there is no half measure way to do it, (.. unless you plan to keep both types). This is because you extractor has to be replaced, you need to build much of your own hive and frames. Now if you hzve a workshop you could become a major supplier in the U.K. since few others have zdopted them so far. I do expect it to be the more popular system in the next 20 years, but thats just my opinion.
Gene do you think on the layens frames would flaring out the bottom of the side bars from 1 inch to 1.5 to keep spacing equal on all frames at bottom cause any problem. I am building 12, 14& 20 frame hives with the bottom jar lid traps for hive beetles. Thanks Olddan
I do not think it would be necessary, and it may actually create a disadvantage making it easier to roll or crush bees when taking frames in and out during inspections. You'll be fine with the narrow bottoms built to spec.
Did you build the frames or buy them? Seems like that piece would be easier to buy them? I want to start hobby bee keeping and was going to use the solid top frames so they can be moved into a horizontal hive. You have me questioning using those because of the hive beetles
I understand the hive beetle concern. I'm building all of my frames, and I am going to implement a hive beetle entrance baffle / trap in order to prevent them from entering the hive. If it works as well as I believe it will, I will use the standard Layens style frames with top bars that touch.
I did a couple times, but varroa is NOT a huge problem despite not treating. I let the bees split / swarm when they want to, and I seldom have any issues. If I do notice varroa becoming a problem in a colony, I remove the queen and some bees - no brood. Start them up with a frame of honey in a nuc to give the parent colony a brood break and that purges the varroa. I hope this helps.
Since you have somewhat of a problem with hive beetle, have you tried Guardian Bee Hive Entrance to combat the hive beetles? I have been trying to figure out how to add it to a Layens hive.
I've actually considered getting a few to try out. I've emailed one of the company reps asking about using them on the Layens hives. All you need to do is add a 3/4 landing block just under the entrance so the Guardian entrance has something to sit on. I'll put up a video if I get some.
I put Guardians on my layens hives that are built to Leo's specs. His entrances are wider than the 4 and 1/2 inch on the guardian so I made small Landing board with a 4.5in entrance and screwed the guardian on to that before screwing the new landing board and entrance on to the hive. It works well. The next trick will be figuring how to fit the guardian over Leo's insulated layens hives that have the round holes... which I have already built. Had I known of the Guardians I would have just used 4 and 1/2 in entrances..
I'd like to see pics of your vertical Layens hives. I've considered making a couple just for kicks and see how the bees take to it. Visit my website enjoybeekeeping.com and send an email when you get a chance
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I'm officially jealous of your workshop
I do not have bees but I been looking in to it for years and I will get me some hives for sure. My area is really cold with long cold winters so insulated layens should work good for me. The nice part is that in my country we do not have hive beetles at all. They just do not exist her. So beetles will never be a problem. I will def go for the topbars that touch.
Loving your enthusiasm and this video. I am looking forward to watching your build. Thank you so much
You're one busy beekeeper!!!! Good luck!!
Just a bee "reader" here, but love the idea of layens hives. Thank you for your vids.
Thanks for watching!
I made the same reasoning and I have just finished painting 6 of them....even the queen cattle part. The difference that I made was regarding the Layens hive itself. I chose ago build a 31 frame hive with three entrance. Think of the versatility of what you can do in that size of a hive. Thank you for your video.
My extractor won't fit a layen's frame so I opted to turn my langs' vertical and mimic the layens. Now I am repurposing my lang deep boxes using my vertical lang frames. My old lang deep boxes now are all getting changed to 10 frame vert langs/nuke/swarm traps. I'm done with the lang set up. The mod is a challenge but if I want I can put three converted langs together and have a 30 frame box.
For hive beetles in my 60 lang 5 and 8 frames bottom bds I have a large plastic jar lid in back of the bottom board, hole saw cut to fit lid in,1/8 hardware cloth inside over lid i use mineral oil in lid with a one screw pivot board under box to hold lid tight to screen. I am building 20 frames langs with 2 of them in bottom. Starting Layens builds and they will have them also. They catch a lot of beetles. Like your layens nuc / trap boxes will build some thanks for your vids. OldDan
Thank you for the info on the hive beetles. It's been on my radar to try the idea you mentioned.
Great video. I've built several 2 frame layens nucs that have worked very well. The solution to the beetles is by using 3/4 pex pipe for the entrance instead of conventional entrances. No beetles so far.
Can you explain a bit more on your pex comment? Why does this work, or how does this work? I'm just a noobie. No clue so far really. Thanks
I ssecond that request. Please explain more so we can avoid the pesky beetles tlo
Thanks for sharing,,🐝safe
I would love to see you build one. I would really like the plans.
Hi there from the UK 🇬🇧, im interested in why your fazing out your langstroth hives and going for layens hives instead?
I like the well insulated Layens hives because it mimics a cozy tree hollow, and no heavy lifting or accidentally over harvesting their honey.
So what do you use at present, Langstroth or Layens? Langstroth requires you to lift a whole super which can be very heavy whereas Layens you need to lift out a frame so it's lighter. I am thinking of making some, setting up jig is worthwhile if we make more of them as I have equipment if we want to pool our resources in UK.
Brit here, but now livi g in Ohio. Layens are: the more suitable management system UNLESS you are a commercial keeper who transports hives to vineyards and orchards... then stick to langstroth.
Warning.. switching to layens is a complete switch, there is no half measure way to do it, (.. unless you plan to keep both types). This is because you extractor has to be replaced, you need to build much of your own hive and frames. Now if you hzve a workshop you could become a major supplier in the U.K. since few others have zdopted them so far. I do expect it to be the more popular system in the next 20 years, but thats just my opinion.
Gene do you think on the layens frames would flaring out the bottom of the side bars from 1 inch to 1.5 to keep spacing equal on all frames at bottom cause any problem. I am building 12, 14& 20 frame hives with the bottom jar lid traps for hive beetles. Thanks Olddan
I do not think it would be necessary, and it may actually create a disadvantage making it easier to roll or crush bees when taking frames in and out during inspections. You'll be fine with the narrow bottoms built to spec.
Great video! Thank you, fun info
Hope next footage will be how to make one of these amazing boxes .. Thanks
I'm not sure how soon that will be, but Dr Leo has free plans on his website, and these are super simple to put together. Take care
Did you build the frames or buy them? Seems like that piece would be easier to buy them?
I want to start hobby bee keeping and was going to use the solid top frames so they can be moved into a horizontal hive. You have me questioning using those because of the hive beetles
I understand the hive beetle concern. I'm building all of my frames, and I am going to implement a hive beetle entrance baffle / trap in order to prevent them from entering the hive. If it works as well as I believe it will, I will use the standard Layens style frames with top bars that touch.
Do you ever dust your bees with powered sugar for varroa mite control?
I did a couple times, but varroa is NOT a huge problem despite not treating. I let the bees split / swarm when they want to, and I seldom have any issues. If I do notice varroa becoming a problem in a colony, I remove the queen and some bees - no brood. Start them up with a frame of honey in a nuc to give the parent colony a brood break and that purges the varroa. I hope this helps.
Since you have somewhat of a problem with hive beetle, have you tried Guardian Bee Hive Entrance to combat the hive beetles? I have been trying to figure out how to add it to a Layens hive.
I've actually considered getting a few to try out. I've emailed one of the company reps asking about using them on the Layens hives. All you need to do is add a 3/4 landing block just under the entrance so the Guardian entrance has something to sit on. I'll put up a video if I get some.
I put Guardians on my layens hives that are built to Leo's specs. His entrances are wider than the 4 and 1/2 inch on the guardian so I made small Landing board with a 4.5in entrance and screwed the guardian on to that before screwing the new landing board and entrance on to the hive. It works well. The next trick will be figuring how to fit the guardian over Leo's insulated layens hives that have the round holes... which I have already built. Had I known of the Guardians I would have just used 4 and 1/2 in entrances..
Good idea 😊😊 😊
This is going to be me in a few weeks. Haha. Building laynes hives for me and future swarms
Awesome! Keep up posted
Just watching your vids again. How about making an observation swarm trap. It would be an interesting video.
I have 5 frames trap hives and I transfer the colonies in a 9 frames vertical Layens hive
I'd like to see pics of your vertical Layens hives. I've considered making a couple just for kicks and see how the bees take to it. Visit my website enjoybeekeeping.com and send an email when you get a chance
What are the dimensions?
I'll be updated my website with all the specs so you can download the plans. I think Dr Leo has them on his site if you wanna check it out
Do you sell those Layen NUcs?
Yes sir - please visit my website enjoybeekeeping.com for info. I would even consider shipping them
Do you sell the hives you build? If so what do you sell them for?
Yes, please visit my website enjoybeekeeping.com and download my catalog.
Layens are really awkward. Beginners have no business messing with them.