The construction of omshanik helps to protect the bee hives in the winter. The design benefits are heat retention, reduced feed consumption and increased insect safety. You will learn about what is required for the construction of a winter house and what are the rules for preparing the premises while reading this article.
What is it used for?
Omshanik is a small room where bee hives are brought in during the winter cold. Another name for the building is a winter house. It is built mainly in cold regions where winters are especially harsh.
Thanks to the Omshan people, bees endure the winter more easily and consume less honey. In addition, the design allows the beekeeper to monitor the state of insects without disturbing them too much. During the winter, it is required to visit Omshanik several times to check the room temperature, food supplies and the health of the insects.
In summer, the need for a winter house decreases. But it can be used as a pantry for storing tools.
Pros
The main advantages of using the structure are:
- Bee health. Insects keep warm and get sick less. Reducing the need for honey consumption protects bees from digestive problems. Decrease usually occurs only outside the nest, so with increased nutrition, the rectum becomes clogged and the condition of insects worsens.
- No power problems. With insufficient heating and low moisture levels, honey becomes sugar-coated, and it becomes more difficult for bees to consume it.
- Safety. Reduces the risk that the hive will be overturned due to an accidental push or strong gust of wind.
- Convenience. Beekeepers do not need to worry that the hive will be plundered by wild animals. The wooden structure of the nest is better preserved. It is easier to examine and treat diseased bees. Much less insects die during the wintering period in Omshanik.
Kinds
In total, 3 types of structures are used.
Ground
The least convenient type of Omshanik. It is easy to build as it does not require a lot of time and high material costs. But such a room has to be additionally insulated, since the walls almost do not retain heat.
Outwardly, the ground-type winter house resembles a conventional building that can be used as a barn. You can easily place bee nests in it and take them out after the end of the cold weather. In addition, if the windows are cut through, artificial lighting is not required.
Underground
This design is considered the most convenient. The structure is almost completely underground, with only the roof remaining on the surface. In such winter houses, heat and an optimal level of humidity are perfectly preserved.
But it is necessary to build a room only in those places where groundwater is deeper than 4 m. In addition, more materials and efforts are required during the construction.
Another disadvantage is the inconvenience of transferring the hives to Omshanik and removing them during the warming period.
Semi-underground
It is built if groundwater is located shallow underground. This type of wintering house combines the advantages of 2 others. It is bright and requires less effort to move the hives. But you need to constantly monitor the temperature and humidity level, otherwise the nests may become damp.
Basic building requirements
When building Omshanik, you need to take into account the basic requirements.
Humidity
Changes in humidity levels negatively affect the health of the bees.
There are 2 options:
- Decreased. Insects experience stress, become restless, which leads to an increase in the consumption of honey reserves. Digestion is impaired. Honey is candied, which is why stocks are depleted faster. Bees can starve to death.
- Exceeded. Honey begins to sour, which also leads to starvation. The high humidity of the nests creates a fertile ground for the growth of fungi and an increase in the death of insects from diseases.
The optimum humidity level is 85%.
Thermoregulation
The optimum room temperature is from 0 to 2 degrees. In underground structures, thermoregulation occurs naturally. In the ground and semi-underground walls, you need to insulate yourself. For this, artificial materials such as polystyrene or isolon can be used. But it is better to find more natural remedies so as not to harm the health of the bees.
If there are a lot of bees and they have enough food, they can overwinter at temperatures slightly below normal.
Ventilation
Ventilation is of particular importance for thermoregulation and humidity control. Inside the hives, bees carry out it on their own, leaving holes for air flow. In a similar way, the beekeeper is setting up a ventilation system in Omshanik using inlet and outlet pipes.
There are 2 possible types of ventilation using pipes:
- One-pipe. 1 pipe is installed, which promotes air circulation. It provides cold air flow to the bottom of the room and hot air out through the top. If the pipe comes out through the roof, it must be additionally insulated. In addition, a valve is installed on top, which allows you to control ventilation in Omshanik. Today this type of air regulation is used less often.
- Two-pipe. In this version, 2 pipes are installed. Through the 1st oxygen is distributed throughout the wintering house. Thanks to the second, stuffy air outflows. The pipes can also be fitted with valves. More experienced beekeepers attach ventilators near pipe outlets to improve air circulation.
Instead of pipes, you can use dry sanded boards, which are installed in the corners of the room.
How to build?
When building an Omshanik, you need to decide on the type of construction and only then proceed to preparation.
Preparatory work
Particular attention should be paid to the area where the winter house will be built.
It must meet the requirements:
- Water resistant. To check at what depth the groundwater is located, you should dig several holes in the spring. If water begins to collect in them, such an area is not suitable for construction. You also need to take care of the absence of the threat of floods.
- Location. Omshanik should be placed near the apiary, so it will be easier to bring in the hives. Ideally, it is worth placing the structure in a ravine or on the side of a small hill. So she will be protected from the winds.
- Placement of the entrance. It is better to do it from the south side, so that when the door is opened, less cold wind gets into the room. In winter houses, where more than 100 insect families will live, 2 entrances are made - from the north and south sides.
- Area calculation. When drawing up a construction scheme, it should be borne in mind that the width of the passage between the racks should be about 1 m.A rack for placing hives in 1 row - at least 70 cm, in 2 rows - 160 cm.A distance of about 20 cm should be left between the hives. place the hives in the butt against the wall. Taking this into account, the total area of the building is calculated. It is better to make Omshanik a little more than required, because the number of bee colonies may increase in the future.
- Calculation of expenses. It is necessary to determine in advance what materials will be required for the construction, to calculate their required amount. Make a marking of the future territory of the winter house.
Choice of materials
It should be remembered that when building an Omshanik, materials will be required not only for the construction of the premises, but also for the manufacture of racks, doors and ventilation pipes.
Therefore, you need to prepare the following:
- Wood. Need bars or logs. Prepare polished boards, frame, slab. It is better to choose sturdy wood that retains heat well.
- A rock. Requires bricks and regular stones. To strengthen the walls, prepare sand, crushed stone, lime.
- Metal. Metal corners, channels and pipes.
- Insulation. Due to roofing material, waterproofing is created. You will need film, reed slabs and adobe.
Pay special attention to materials for creating individual elements of Omshanik:
- Floor. It can be created from concrete, clay, wood.
- Walls. For the underground structure, they are made of bricks, for others, they are made of wood.
- Overlapping. Reinforced concrete is used. Be sure to take care of waterproofing.
- Roof. It can be crafted from planks. For insulation, the ceiling is laid with moss, straw or sawdust, foam.
Erection
Below are step-by-step instructions for building different types of Omshaniks.
Details about the construction of the underground type of Omshanik:
- Dig a pit. To do this, it is easier to hire an excavator. You can use a shovel, but it takes much longer. The depth of the pit is 3-5.5 m. After excavating, level the area well. To do this, use a special level ruler. Use a shovel to create a groove through which the condensation will escape, and also at an angle, dig a place to install the ladder. Its width is at least 1 m.
- Floor making. Pour the bottom of the pit with concrete or line it with boards as spacers. Place around the edges of the formwork boards. They must be placed at the same level. Pour a layer of concrete about 20 cm thick. Level it. Wait for it to dry. The formwork can be removed 2 weeks after pouring the concrete.
- Walling. Better to use a double layer of brick. Moisten each brick with water before laying. Dry bricks may crack. Fill the gap that forms between the lower bricks and the floor with clay. Use metal tubes to reinforce the structure. Make a strapping of metal from below, lay the channel on top. For strength, weld the metal frame elements together. You also need to make a frame on top.
- Roof creation. Lay the boards on top of the frame. They need to be well strengthened with a concrete solution and wrapped in foil. Lay with a double layer of mesh reinforcement. Pour concrete on top. For it to freeze, wait 1 week.
After that, you can cover it with a layer of roofing material and cover it with earth. Above the ceiling, you can equip an attic room for the outlet of ventilation pipes and storage of tools. The roof itself can be made of boards, using slate. Insulate with reeds.
- Arrangement. Lay the steps with concrete slabs or fill with mortar. Before entering Omshanik, you can equip a vestibule, thanks to which it will be possible to keep warm.
Whitewash the walls indoors. Ventilate with plastic or metal pipes. Be sure to take care of the lighting in the winter house. It is better that it be double. Scattered red is ideal for bee grooming.
Make sure that there are no gaps in Omshanik. If they are found, cover them with a layer of polyurethane foam.
The method of construction of a semi-underground one is similar to the construction of an underground Omshanik.
The actions are as follows:
It is imperative to lay the walls with insulation material. If foam is used, it is fixed with polyurethane foam. You can make the sheathing with plywood, but then the materials will cost more.
- Roof erection. It is made mainly single-pitched. For this, wood, roofing material and insulation material are used. If you make a gable roof, then beekeeping equipment can be stored in the resulting attic.
- Interior decoration. Inside, wooden racks are installed, they can be made from 1 or 2 tiers. Ventilation pipes are attached. They should be taken out to the ceiling or inside the attic.
The sequence of works during the construction of the aboveground type:
- Place wooden posts around the perimeter. They need to be immersed in the ground to a depth of about 80 cm.The total height of the posts is 1 m.
- From above you need to make a frame from a bar and nail logs, about 60 cm long.
- Line the floor with wooden planks.
- Above ground level, not only brick, but also wood can be used to build a winter house.
- It is better to make windows under the ceiling so as not to conduct artificial lighting.
- The roof can be made gable or pitched.
Wintering
For bees to successfully survive the cold, you need to take care of their comfortable wintering.
Preparatory work
Omshanik should be cooked long before the hives are placed there.
What do we have to do:
- Drying the room. For this purpose, it is necessary in the warm season to open the doors and move the dampers on the ventilation pipes. To prevent rodents from entering the winter house, grates are installed.
- Cooling. The wintering area must be cooled in order to avoid strong temperature surges in the future.
- Disinfection. The ceiling and walls are treated with a solution of slaked lime. This is necessary to prevent insect pests from entering the winter house.
- Soundproofing. In order not to disturb the bees once again, a layer of sand should be laid on the floor. He will make the steps of the beekeeper as quiet as possible. For the same purpose, it is necessary to lubricate the bolts and hinges so that they do not squeak.
- Protection. The room must be fumigated to prevent fungi and parasite infestation. During the procedure, you need to take care of protective equipment - a special suit, mask, gloves. In the corners of Omshanik it is better to spread the poison from rodents, which can damage wooden structures.
- Checking structures. Before placing the hives on the racks, you need to make sure that they are strong enough to support the weight of the nest. It is better to replace old and damp shelves with new ones.
When to bring in hives?
As for the transfer of hives to the winter house, you should remember the features:
- Time of entry. The hives are moved to Omshanik when a constant cold temperature is established outside. It becomes impossible for the bees to leave the nest, and the family prepares for wintering. This is usually done in early December. It is better to move the hives in the morning when the weather is clear and dry.
- Insect protection. Before moving the nest, you need to check that all the entrances are tightly closed. Carrying the hive is required as carefully and evenly as possible so as not to disturb the bees.
- Accommodation. Nests with stronger and stronger colonies should be placed closer to the exit, where the temperature is usually lower. Weak and painful insects are placed on the upper shelves of the shelves, in the depths of Omshanik. You also need to take care that you can freely approach each hive.
- The opening of the entrance. You do not need to do this right away, since even the most careful movement could cause anxiety in insects, which would lead to aggression on their part. Better to wait 2-3 hours.
- Airing. 2-3 days after the transfer of nests to the winter house, the room must be thoroughly ventilated. This is to dry out the hives that become saturated with moisture while in the cold air.
- Measuring indicators. It is necessary to constantly monitor the levels of moisture and heat in the hive. This is done using special devices. If the humidity level is high, you can put regular kitchen salt in bags in the corners. She will take on excess moisture.
The hives are carried out when warm spring weather sets in and the bees can fly around. The ideal time is the flowering of the 1st melliferous plants. During this period, there is no longer any snow and the risk of frost is reduced.
After the hive is placed on the ground, a bundle of straw is placed in front of it. This will help keep the flying insects out of the cold.
It happens that the temperature in the winter house rises even before the warm weather outside. At this time, the bees become more active. They feel the need to fly around and replenish honey. To calm the insects down, beekeepers artificially cool the room.
Care
If the design of the winter house is created correctly, then special care is not required.
Features of insect care in winter:
- Frequency of visits. At the beginning of winter, you need to visit bees no more than 2 times a month. If the winter is cold, then you need to inspect the insects living in the ground structure more often to control the level of heat. When the weather begins to warm, it is necessary to visit the winter house 1-2 times a week, as the bees become more anxious. Before leaving Omshanik, you should visit insects every day.
- Behavior. You need to get in and out of the winter house as quietly as possible. Open the hives carefully, without making any sudden movements. The door must be closed as tightly as possible so as not to let in cold and noise from the outside.
- Observing the hive. Even without opening the nest, you can find out if the insects are doing well. If they hum quietly and evenly, wintering takes place without difficulty. Excessive noise from the hive is a bad sign. Most often this is due to a decrease in temperature, but if the indicator is normal, you need to check the bees. It is possible that the queen bee has died or honey reserves have been depleted.
- Warming. Hives with small bee colonies must be additionally insulated. For this, the space between the nests, as well as the surface that is on the side of the wall, is laid with a warm mesh.
- Feed. In the initial period, bees are quite unpretentious. Requires about 700 g of honey for 1 family. But with the onset of heat, the consumption doubles. This is due to the formation of brood and the expansion of the bee colony. Usually food is placed at the top of the nest, next to the wall. Below, the bees gather in a ball, thanks to which they warm each other.
The choice of the type of construction of Omshanik depends on the living conditions. It is better to build a warm and practical underground structure, but if this is not possible, an aboveground or semi-underground option will do. The main thing is to prepare in advance the layout of the winter house and take care of the availability of the necessary materials.
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Russia. City: Dimitrovgrad
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