BBKA Forum

Hi guys, my apologies if this has been covered but I tried searching for it and the result was this:

"The following words in your search query were ignored because they are too common words: poly hive."

So my question is to poly hive users - which is your favourite and why?
Any additional information would be helpful - ie density of polystyrene, if they come painted or need treated, are they interchangeable with wood or other poly hives etc.

I have one hive and it's an Abelo national. I like it, except the crown board which I'm going to change out for a perspex one. I want to buy another but they're out of stock of standard deep boxes and even 14x12s. So this is the reason I ask about alternatives, then I can see what is as good, or better than, what I have and if they'll work with each other if I swap boxes around.

Drawing on my vast Cushmaneesque experience,I'd stick with Abeilo and use flatpack cedar components until the ones you need are available again.
You could then sell them on afterwrds

You ask which is the best, Imo it's abelo. 160g/l, painted and the same footprint as wood.

An alternative that's said to be good is sweinty but I personally have never used them. May be others could comment

I've used maisemores and Payne's and neither are as dense at 100g/l, they have different footprints and are not painted. My Payne's hive after 5yrs use looks really beat up. Using it with wood leaves under and over hangs. I don't like this.

I still use wood and interchange kit with abelo.

Thanks Alfred, that may be what I have to do.

Chrisbarlow wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2019, 08:03

You ask which is the best, Imo it's abelo. 160g/l, painted and the same footprint as wood.

An alternative that's said to be good is sweinty but I personally have never used them. May be others could comment

I've used maisemores and Payne's and neither are as dense at 100g/l, they have different footprints and are not painted. My Payne's hive after 5yrs use looks really beat up. Using it with wood leaves under and over hangs. I don't like this.

I still use wood and interchange kit with abelo.

Chris this info is great - it's exactly what I was looking for. I know Abelo claim their boxes are interchangeable with wood and they show it, but I got the impression that other poly hives may physically sit on wood but have, like you mentioned, under/overhangs. I don't fancy that. I want my hives to be nice and neat. The density was a big seller for me with Abelo too. I like it and wouldn't want to go any less dense. Abelo poly is pretty good to screw into as well - I added toggle latches so it would all sit together nicely and lock in.

Def abelo. Everything fits.
And it's ready painted and built when it arrives.

DianeBees wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2019, 11:23

Def abelo. Everything fits.
And it's ready painted and built when it arrives.

Thanks Diane, what are your second favourite? If Abelo don't replace stock soon I may have to go for second best.

Japey Edge wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2019, 11:42

DianeBees wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2019, 11:23

Def abelo. Everything fits.
And it's ready painted and built when it arrives.

Thanks Diane, what are your second favourite? If Abelo don't replace stock soon I may have to go for second best.

I have nationals so wouldn't want the PITA-ness of stuff not quite fitting right.

I did have another poly hive, but having seen how it worked at a friends with national kit I decided to sell it them instead.

Abelo or nothing.

Japey Edge wrote: ↑

05 Jun 2019, 11:42

If Abelo don't replace stock soon I may have to go for second best.

I can lend you some old wooden stuff until they do. It's a testament to Abelo that Lyson are currently running a 24/7/365 shift on the mold for their hives. Victims of their own success.

Well, it's also such a swarm season. Lots of people seem out of stock on common items. I was looking at caddon-hives and they are 2 weeks behind on all assembly and out of stock on lots of items that are usually flat packed. I suppose lots of beekeepers are buying in new kit.

It has been an excellent season so far . I can see why people are needing extra equipment.