Copyright 2003 Ian Rumsey
All the pathogens, pests and parasites will be present, but below the treatment
threshold level. There will be very little swarming or colony loss. Hives need only to be visited twice a year, once in mid- summer, and once in
mid- winter. The upper box will contain 6 combs  9in. wide, 18in. deep. The lower box will contain 8 combs  12in. wide, 12in. deep. Vertical comb will be apparent. The breed of bee is not important. Temperature regulation within the hive will be more efficient in cool climates. The upper box may be made of a transparent material to create an Observation
Hive.
To facilitate the renewal of
the comb in the upper box,
the upper box may be made in
three sections, each 6in. deep. During the second winter, when
the upper box is transferred
onto the empty lower body,
an additional 6in. deep
section is added underneath. During the following summer, the
top 6in. section of the upper box
is removed and the contents used
as part of the harvest. This practice is then continued
for each subsequent winter and  
summer visit.
Under this arrangement the age
of the comb in the upper box
never exceeds 4 years
A swarm is placed in the upper box and nature is allowed
to take its course for one year, by which time the colony
will have filled the upper box. Nature is again allowed to take its course for a further
year, by which time the lower box is also completed. During the winter, when the bees are clustered tight in the
upper box, the upper box is removed and placed upon an identical, but empty, lower hive body with an entrance portal. The outer cover of protective
Ekes are also transferred.
The combs in the lower box
are taken away as the harvest.
The hive consists of two boxes. The upper box is 9in. square and 18in deep, made of ¼  in ply board.         Entrance portal. The lower box is 14in. square and 18in. deep, made of 1in. timber. The upper box is inverted and placed on top of the lower box with the entrance portal in between. An outer cover of ekes 14in. square,  made from 6in. X 2in. timber
are placed over the upper box onto the entrance portal and
a flat square roof is placed on top.                                           Chapter One                                                            We See                                                                                                                              Biannual bee, what do you see,                           Beyond your own domain?                                                                          We see the dark clouds in the West,                                        Around about Bude Bay,                          Resistant  mites, with appetites,                          Are coming up your way.                                       We see our Keepers almost slain,                          Upon their knees in utmost pain,                          They cannot help us any more,                          We must return to nature’s law.                          We see with eyes you cannot see,                          Our feral sisters hold the key,                                                  The secrets lay within our home,                                                                         Designed by us in natural comb.          
 Biannual Beekeeping
for Young Ladies and Elderly Gentlemen                                                                           Price: 3/6