Zest Hive - Key Features
- DIY Build
- Thermo-Regulation
- A warmer, dryer hive
environment reduces the thermo-regulation duties, allowing the
temperature to rise to the ideal. This speeds the biological
process of pupating ,and helps regulate humidity.
- Top entrance (controls
airflow)
- Condensation (
controlled by the bees )
- Ventilation ( reduced
)
- Humidity Level (
Comfort / Discomfort )
- Dew Point ( internal
-v- external temp )
- Less
Swarming
- Swarms occur due to
lack of space , The Zest Hive has variable space controlled by the
beekeeper , more importantly the bees are able to more effectively
, and efficiently manage space
- Functionally Varroa
Free
- The understanding of
how Temperature, Relative Humidity , and Dew Point impacts
Bees and Varroa Life cycle needs further research
- Less Intervention
- Better Temper
- Ease of
Manipulation
- Half the Cost of Wood
Hive
- Less Winter
Feeding
- Improved Bee
Health
- Still not convinced , there is much
more to know :-however the Useful links below provide some of the
best information available to support the actual experiences of
Zest users .
- Constuctive Beekeeping written in 1918 by Ed
Clark.
-
Zachary Huang describes
the Varroa Lifecyle - Controlling Varroa Reproduction via
Fecundity and Fertilty will win the battle with
varroa.
-
Varroa mite reproduction and Humidity by B. Kraus, H.H.W.
Velthuis
Useful Links