- DSCN4263
It is time again to put an observation hive in the bug house -- the MSU insect showcase that attracts hundreds of grade school kids each year. Workers: Mr. Gary Parsons, Insect Collection Manager and George Ayers, Professor of Entomology (He writes 'The other side of beekeeping' for American Bee Journal. Photo by Zachary Huang. May 23, 2003. Time was 11:05:46 am. - DSCN2544
All the frames are in place, but each is still closed to their own cage. One now has to remove all the metal pieces separating them. - DSCN2538
The first frame is nearly in place. - DSCN2540
Here comes the second frame, inside the second box. - DSCN2536
This observation hive has a 'modular' design. Each frame is contained in identical boxes with two sides with glasses and two sides of wood. The top and bottom are open. Therefore after the frame was moved in, they have to be covered with two thin metal plates. Here Gary is removing the duct-tape. - DSCN2542
The third one is in place. - DSCN2535
Gary and George taking segments of the observation hive from the cardboard box. - DSCN2541
Removing rubber bands on the third frame. - DSCN2543
Sliding in the fifth and the last one -- if you want to have 10 frames, you simply modify hte two end vertical bars so it is longer and can accommodate 10 frames... - DSCN2537
Then you can simply slides in the first box. - DSCN2548
The observation hive all done. Notice there are now consmetic covers on two sides to make it look nicer. The whole process took about 8 min and not a single bee flew out! Pretty impressive. The time does not include moving the frames of bees from a hive into the hive segments of course. Done at 11:13:07 am. - DSCN2545
Prof. Ayers uses a pair of pliers to grab the sheet of metal and then tries to put it off, hopefully without letting any bees out. Gary's job is to keep the boxes from come out with the metal plate. Because the metal plate is thin, bees would not be able to come out, normally. - DSCN2546
There comes out the first one! - DSCN2547
All the plates are out, Gary puts a piece of wood on top to fix the whole hive.