[grinling]

Went to the Ideal Home Show and Omlet were showing off a bee hive, all plastic model.

[Aunt Sally]

It's on their web site.

[Steven Rowe]

quite abit of money then ?

[joyfull]

but should last a long while 

[Kate and her Ducks]

I have to say that I thought this looked really interesting. Wanted bees for ages but don't want to upset my neighbours and they are very townie. Thought this looked good as they might never even know I was keeping bees!

[elibump]

I have to say that I thought this looked really interesting. Wanted bees for ages but don't want to upset my neighbours and they are very townie. Thought this looked good as they might never even know I was keeping bees!

Have you seen the HFW episode with the boy in London keeping bees on the roof?   That didn't seem to bother the neighbours (they didn't seem to realise)

Quite impressed by that.

Eli xx

[raeburg]

When my grandfather kept bees every wasp sting/ant bite was attributed to his bees.  In the end he sold them to keep the peace.

[theakston_uk]

quite abit of money then ?

You're not wrong there

[jimbeekeeper]

Hi There

I am a beekeeper, and also have the omlet beehaus. I recived it last year and added the bees as well, so they have over wintered no problems at all. The same also for my other hives which are in tradtional wood.

[scabs]

It is expensive isn't it? Mind you, for an extra £50 you get the clothing and what have you and I suppose it has the advantage of quite a long lifespan. Being plastic, it might help keep mites at bay too?

Can't afford one, mind. 

[jimbeekeeper]

It is expensive isn't it?

Yes you can pay as little as ~£100 for a seconds quality flat packed ceder hive, or maybe a little less for a soft wood version...BUt you could equaly pay £350+ for a first grade pre built ceder hive.

Like wise you could knock up a top bar hive for just about nothing using scrap wood.

You pays your money.

After all do the bees care what they are in? NO, it is all for the beekeeper.

[scabs]

Hi Jim,

What about the mites issue, is there any advantage to the plastic or will they colonise regardless?

[jimbeekeeper]

Hi

No difference at all!

Unlike red mite in the hen houses, where by the red mite on poultry transfers off the birds during the day, and thus the ablity to give the plastic a good jet down and no hidding places helps the likes of the omlet hen house.

On bees the mite is pretty much on the bee all the time.

But the omlet does have other advantages to help the bees and the bee keeper, but remebering that it is not a new design, and not a comonaly used design.

[scabs]

Thanks Jim. 

[jimbeekeeper]

Found this the other day, win an Omlet beehaus

Difficult question - What is the correct term for beekeepers?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply register to the site or sign in and answer the above question:

http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/a.../win-a-beehive