The Beehive made by the people at Omlet.

[seasprout]

I know there's a little thread about the news article about this item, but thought I would start one about the item itself.

I heard about it on Farming today where the bloke from Omlet was getting a roasting from the reporter, the reporter was making out this was going to encourage people into a fad, where eventually the Bees will suffer.

I was initially quite interested in the 'beehaus' as its called, but now I've seen it and the price i'm really not so sure.

Would be really interested in others comments.

Omlet UK | Product and Services | Bees | bees and honey

[Mrs Dobby]

Nice looking thing, but too damn expensive and not good for cleaning as it cant be scorched to sterilize it (dont use chemicals to sterilize it!)

You'd be better off with a softwood (budget) National Hive from Thornes, £125 complete with all frames, roof, 2 supers, brood box, all frames and foundation plus the nails to assemble! All you then need is a landing pad for the front and a stand to put it on!

[Alison]

Too toy town for me but then again I don't like the bright colourful chicken ones either, much prefer something more natural looking.

[seasprout]

Statement by the company

"Omlet, the company behind the Eglu, will be launching the Beehaus in two weeks' time. It has spent 18 months developing the brightly coloured, plastic beehive. It will come in various colours including red, green, yellow and purple.

Johannes Paul, one of the team behind the new hive, said: "It looks like a little sort of moon lander and is almost insect-like. We think it will appeal to urban beekeepers as it is much more modern and contemporary than traditional hives."

Clearly aimed at capturing the "green pound" of eco-conscious Britons, a complete kit – including a beekeeping hat and protective suit – will cost £495. Mr Paul added: "The idea is to simplify things and make it all more accessible.".

[TEB]

I thought it was far to expensive and was considering pinching one of the dozen wooden ones that are idling in the field behind us

[NOG]

I don't mind improving things...but is it any better than a National.

£500......tooo much...and none the better than the old one.

[Sue]

Plus you have to pay £80-£150 for the bees, is that what they really cost?

Sue

[NOG]

If you have a word with a bee keeper at the right time he will give you a colony of bees for free.

[Joe]

Too dear! Is plastic ecologically sound even if it is recycled? I,d pay around £100-150 and hope for some free bees.

Does anyone use any more traditional hives?

[bluemoon]

Bee keeping is something I've been thinking about, but I doubt I'd buy this - even if you can get a purple one - any more than I considered an Eglu for my chickens. I suppose it will appeal to the sort of people who use Eglus, but I prefer a more traditional looking hive in the same way that I prefer a traditional chicken house. (OK then traditional-ish, I did paint them in some bright colours..... but still wasn't allowed a purple one. )

[NOG]

Is plastic ecologically sound even if it is recycled?

Does anyone use any more traditional hives?

Plastic once it is made is very eco as it can be recycled indefitatly...especally against a hardwood tree that takes 200 years to grow....the key is recycling once it is at the end of its life.

Untill this plastic one was invented there was only the Traditional type.

[Joe]

Plastic once it is made is very eco as it can be recycled indefitatly...especally against a hardwood tree that takes 200 years to grow....the key is recycling once it is at the end of its life.

Untill this plastic one was invented there was only the Traditional type.

Ta, for the information about recycled plastic. By traditional I meant the ones used before the national or whatever hives i.e. the woven basket types. Beehive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Alison]

Plastic once it is made is very eco as it can be recycled indefitatly...especally against a hardwood tree that takes 200 years to grow....the key is recycling once it is at the end of its life.

Ideally one of these would be reused rather than recycled and no doubt would last longer than a wooden equivalent and in that way could become a more environmentally friendly option (although not visually so in my opinion!). However it is not true that plastic can be recycled indefinitely. There are several different types of plastic, most of which don't really have any recycling route in this country which is why many councils only take bottles (which tend to be type 1 or 2). It also takes quite a bit of energy to carry out the recycling process and all too often plastics are being burnt which is a massive debate in itself.

[BFG]

Ta, for the information about recycled plastic. By traditional I meant the ones used before the national or whatever hives i.e. the woven basket types. Beehive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From your link:-

Skeps and other fixed-frame hives are no longer in wide use (and are illegal in many countries) because the bees and the comb cannot be inspected for disease or parasites without destruction of the honeycomb and usually the colony.

[NOG]

From your link:-

Skeps and other fixed-frame hives are no longer in wide use (and are illegal in many countries) because the bees and the comb cannot be inspected for disease or parasites without destruction of the honeycomb and usually the colony.

I think you also had to distroy the woven Hives to get the honey out. The Nationals were invented to increase the quantity of honey produced. And to keep the bees alive over the winter.