Putting A Lid On It
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The Clauss Hive Done is designed to keep the hive temperature even. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Putting A Lid On It
Beekeepers love gadgets, even more than the chefs and cooks I know. They are either making them or inventing them, and the Clauss Hive Dome is one such new invention. Made out of plastic, the dome is designed to help keep hive temperature even. Bees only keep the cluster, or all of bees, warm in winter. The dome evenly distributes the heat so the colony has warmth on all frames, encouraging earlier raising of brood or baby bees according to the inventor Gordon Clauss.
A super goes over the Clauss Hive Dome to secure it. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Now I have not used the Clauss dome over winter nor do I know anyone else who has. Bees overwinter by clustering, or balling up in the center of the hive keeping only the ball of bees warm, not the entire hive.
Before I researched the use of the Clauss Hive Dome, I thought I could use this as a temporary lid so visitors could see the bees on the frames. To be able to easily take the dome off and on, I would need to add a wood frame around the edge to keep it held down.
One of our students also has the idea of putting a hole in the center to add ventilation and then keep the bees from flying up. That defeats part of the observation of a hive, watching the bees, and would not be good to leave exposed for long or it would heat up the hive. The bees keep the hive temperature regulated on their own.
Interesting new beekeeping gadget.
