Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[essexgary]

Hi all, I know there is already a wasp thread -but thought this was worthy of it's own. I have a big problem with the beehaus.

 

Nuc arrived on Saturday - 5 frames, calm and healthy bees - insterted directly into the beehaus. As directed in the beehaus guide, I put a contact feeder on top of a clearer board with the grid removed. placed a super cover around it and then the rest of the supers next to it (putting their coverboards on top of the supers). Lid on.

 

All good, until I noticed some wasps hanging around - then witnessed the wasps entering the lid via the bungee-cord hole. this would give them direct access to the feeder, and alhough upside down, any spillages etc are making the wasps go crazy. They also seem able to get under the top cover into the feeder space. I took the top cover off tonight, and approx 10 wasps flew out. Bad news. There was some syrup on the cover board, so I replaced that (A-level beekeeping at 7.30pm for a week-old beekeeper, I can tell you). I also put some black bin liner in the bungee cord holes to plug them up, but they still seem able to get under the top cover. All parts of the beehaus are fitting as they should. I double checked.

 

Has anyone else had experience of this?

 

Omlet - can I suggest, this is a SERIOUS flaw that needs immediate attention.

 

Some advice please!

 

Thanks

Gary

[v8landy]

A rapid feeder or frame feed might be a better option, I only every use rapid feeders. If you are spilling any or the bees not taking it down fast enough that it is coming out through the mesh floor of the beehaus and attracting the wasps.

 

Also set up some wasp traps, or best find the wasps nests

 

you also might want to read this thread?

 

viewtopic.php?f=65&t=67176

[essexgary]

A rapid feeder or frame feed might be a better option, I only every use rapid feeders. If you are spilling any or the bees not taking it down fast enough that it is coming out through the mesh floor of the beehaus and attracting the wasps.

 

Also set up some wasp traps, or best find the wasps nests

 

you also might want to read this thread?

 

viewtopic.php?f=65&t=67176

Thanks, I will try a different feeder - you're right - the wasps seem attracted to the mesh floor, I thought this was to eat the pollen bits - but now you've said that.

 

Still, wasps getting in via the bungee holes???

[essexgary]

A rapid feeder or frame feed might be a better option, I only every use rapid feeders. If you are spilling any or the bees not taking it down fast enough that it is coming out through the mesh floor of the beehaus and attracting the wasps.

 

Also set up some wasp traps, or best find the wasps nests

 

you also might want to read this thread?

 

viewtopic.php?f=65&t=67176

ps - how does the rapid feeder work? will it fit in the beehaus?

Thanks!

[v8landy]

This is a rapid feeder I used it last year in my beehaus.

 

 

It sits over the cover board with the hole in, and like the contact ffed you need an empty super to keep the lid spaced off.

Basiclay the bees eneter from the center hole but can not get out due to the lid, and therfore noting else can get in unles int comes in via the hive.

 

Main plus is no dripps

[essexgary]

This is a rapid feeder I used it last year in my beehaus.

 

 

It sits over the cover board with the hole in, and like the contact ffed you need an empty super to keep the lid spaced off.

Basiclay the bees eneter from the center hole but can not get out due to the lid, and therfore noting else can get in unles int comes in via the hive.

 

Main plus is no dripps

 

Brilliant! and they are able to get out again? look like they might drown in the syrup!

Gary

[v8landy]

yes they get out again, and very liitle chnace of drowing.

[essexgary]

yes they get out again, and very liitle chnace of drowing.

perfect, I have just ordered one - worth a try. What is the flower-pot looking part to the left in the picture?

[daj198]

yes they get out again, and very liitle chnace of drowing.

perfect, I have just ordered one - worth a try. What is the flower-pot looking part to the left in the picture?

 

That's the pot thingy that sits over the hole (technical stuff ). The bees crawl up the hole and climb down the pot and drink the syrup from there. This ensures they don't drown as they only have access to a small amount of syrup at a time.

 

Here's a diagram of how a miller feeder works... it's the same principle.

[Old Speckled Hen]

Yes those plastic rapid feeders are ace. I have drawn a circle on my cover board to make sure I get the feeder place centrally over the opening.

[Guest]

Just read the thread starter right to the bottom.

 

This is NOT a serious flaw at all.

 

I am not sure why the wasps are having to negotiate the bungee cord holes, but access to the roof space is immaterial as the hive entry is not from that area. Full stop.

 

No design flaw, serious or otherwise. Just a case of beekeeper error - leave access to sugar syrup and wasps will take advantage at this time of the year.

 

Regards, RAB

[essexgary]

Just read the thread starter right to the bottom.

 

This is NOT a serious flaw at all.

 

I am not sure why the wasps are having to negotiate the bungee cord holes, but access to the roof space is immaterial as the hive entry is not from that area. Full stop.

 

No design flaw, serious or otherwise. Just a case of beekeeper error - leave access to sugar syrup and wasps will take advantage at this time of the year.

 

Regards, RAB

 

Rab, you can understand my shock when I opened the top cover to fill up the feeder and 10 wasps flew out. Witnessing the wasps fly in an out of the bungee cord holes gave me a scare. Especially as they were trying frantically to get under the contact feeder into the hive (via the clearer board). This just didn't seem right to me. I have today had some very reassuring email exchanges with johannes at Omlet who reassures me, the same as you that there is no risk. Just that steep learning curve again!

Gary