Sunhive Germany

The first step in preparing the dividing board is to make the frame and to attach the comb arch pieces.

We attach to the dividing board (A) our suspension ropes (B) which are made from three main ropes, each with a adjustable wooden slide.

Each of the three ropes, which are attached to the dividing board, run through a metal shackle, where a cable pull (C) is attached. Each single rope runs through the shackle and ends in their respective wooden slide with a knot. The overall length of the single ropes can be adjusted by sliding the rope through the wooden slides. The dividing board must be perfectly balanced once suspended in the air after the adjustment of the three main ropes. This is important because later on, the bees start to build their honey combs on the comb arches (D), working their way perpendicularly down. If the basket is hanging crookedly, the combs will still be build perpendicularly. Consequently, the comb will be attached to the lower parts of the hive and the catenary curve (which we build the sun hive in model of) will no longer be existent. The bees no longer have the possibility to build their natural and legitimate form of the catenary curve in their individual combs. We verify the horizontal evenness with a bubble level.

The next step includes attaching the comb arches, as bearers of the future honey combs, to the dividing board. The individual arches should be completely pushed, so that there is a tangible resistance, into the notches of the dividing board. Please check the exactness and firmness of the fit of the arches a second time, perhaps also with a look underneath through the circular hole of the dividing board. Should the arches move with a touch from the hand, or even wobble, the the arch ends must be shortly placed in warm water. The arch will be then immediately placed back into the board. The wood will swell within minutes and as a result firmly fit in the board. Later, when the colony lives in the basket, the arches will no longer become loose because the humidity of the colony is so high that the wood will no longer shrink, so long as the life carries on within.