Mike Miles Registered Beekeeper: TA735
Associated with Southerns Beekeeping Association – www.beekeepers.co.za
BEEQUIPMENT Products


   

  • Bee Hives - Standard Langstroth Hives are quality made from either local or imported pine.  The Hives are sold fully assembled either untreated or at extra cost can be purchased treated and sun dried with Waksol.  Joints are particularly strengthened and the finished product is sanded with no rough edges.

    The complete Beehive consists of Floor Board, Entry / Exit Bee Entrance,
    Brood Chamber, 10 Brood Frames (assembled and wired), Super, 10 Super Frames (assembled and wired), Inner Cover, and Telescopic Lid with Aluminium Sheet.

    • Treatment of Beehive Equipment

    Beehives made of standard pine should be able to withstand many years of outdoor use.  They must be protected from the elements.  Generally there are four methods of protecting your beehive equipment.

    • Paint two coats of Wood Primer and two coats of Acrylic Roof Paint.  All coats must be dry before applying next coat.  Only paint exterior of hive.


    • Paint two coats of Wood Primer and two coats (Silver) Aluminium Paint.  Apply as above.


    • Soak full hive, exterior and interior, in heated Creosote and sun dry for up to three months.  This method is known to preserve beehives for many, many years but some critics question the possible carcinogenic impact of creosote on foodstuffs.  Bees however seem to have no problem living in fully treated dried creosote hives.


    • Paint two coats of Waksol cold (no Primer).  Allow first coat to sun dry for +/- two days and apply second coat.  Waksol penetrates the timber but still allows the wood to breathe and has excellent waterproofing properties.  Only treat exterior of hive and leave bee area natural wood.  Bees have no problem with this product.

  • Top Bar Hives - Our Top Bar hives are uniquely made for South African urban use based on standard criteria for top bar hives, yet adapted to encourage stable bee activity and maximize honey production.  These are ideally static hives and can be used in urban gardens to encourage bee activity in a manageable environment. 

    Frames are based on standard Langstroth Brood frames so can be adapted for honey extraction or pure honey comb.  A ventilation system is also installed to assist bees maintain their inner thermal environment without creating unhygienic condensation conditions.  A specific Divider Board allows the beekeeper to manage the space for the growing colony and prevent cross comb construction by magnetically disorientated bees.


  • Trap Hives - 5 Frame Wooden Trap or Nucleus Hives are mainly sold.  8 Frame Trap Hives can be specifically ordered.  These Catch Boxes are specifically designed for the African Bee swarming season and will last for years if properly maintained.  Can also be used for Queen Rearing and nurturing weak or small secondary swarms.


  • Frames - Quality frames ready assembled and wired.  Unassembled frames can also be purchased to be made up by the ardent midnight woodworking enthusiast.

    Frames are not waxed but wax welding can be arranged for small consignments.  This is done using pure beeswax mixed with propolis tincture for added flavour and bee attraction.  Strips are tap welded into frame groves for added strength and to prevent sun warping.

  • Queen excluders and wax foundation - South African manufactured Queen Excluders are tough and durable. We also stock imported plastic Queen Excluders which work for the African bee. These plastic excluders may also be used as a “ceiling board” for propolis production.

    Pure South African quality made Beeswax Foundation Sheets are sold but stocks may be limited during the high season of honey production.


  • Protective Clothing - Full protective clothing is recommended to ensure comfortable working with our generally over active and excitable bees.  Overalls should be chunky and comfortably fitting.  We sell quality manufactured Bee Veils in Poncho style. Experience has shown that the Poncho style is more comfortable and less prone to penetrative excursions by persistent inquisitorial bees. The Veils come in either stiff neck or soft neck gauze.  All Veils are detachable from the jacket base for washing purposes.

    We sell Pigskin Gloves as these are generally found to be more user-friendly when handling frames and standard hive work.  They also become more soft and pliable as they accustom themselves to the user’s hand.  They can also be gently washed.  Their use encourages the ham fisted beekeeper to learn to handle his bees more gently and patiently. For more messy beekeeping work we also stock the red PVC gloves and Cotton Inner Gloves to absorb sweaty palms.

    For ultimate protection of ankles (Hey! do bees love ankles!) and prevention of bees climbing up inside your trouser leg when working on them we stock Ankle Gaiters for the perfect peace of mind.

  • Accessories

    • BEEQUIPMENTnow stocks imported items for the practical beekeeping enthusiast. These include Hive Tools, both the standard Yellow model and the very practical galvanized flat hive tool with hook for levering those difficult frames out of the brood chambers and supers. We also stock the very useful Frame Grip to hold the frames whilst you prize them out of their rigid propolized spaces. Standard quality Smokers are also available.

    For extracting equipment see our range of items which include the quality Stainless Steel Double Honey Filter, Stainless Steel Uncapping Forks and Uncapping Knives. We also stock Honey Gates for fitment to Honey Tanks or Honey Buckets.

Hive Tool - Yellow Hive Tool Galvanized with Hook Frame Grip Plastic Queen Excluder
       
Plastic Honey Gate with Nut Wire Embedder Smoker Galvanized - Large
 Smoker Stainless Steel - Large
       
Plastic Feeders for Entrance Pollen Trap Honey Tank Stainless Steel – 50 kgs Uncapping Knife
       
   
Uncapping Fork Double Honey Filter – Stainless Steel    
       




























 
 

Mike Miles Registered Beekeeper:
TA735 | Cell: 082 456 4177 | Tel: +27 (0) 11 476 5626 | Fax: +27 (0) 11 476 6308 | 38 Kayburne Avenue, Randpark Ridge, Ext 13, 2196 | P.O. Box 912, Randpark Ridge, 2156 Gauteng, South Africa | E-mail: mike.miles@pix.co.za or bees.mikem@mweb.co.za