Products

LANGSTROTH HIVE PRODUCTS

POLSON SupRHive and SupRNuc PRODUCTS   (Our Signature Insulated Hive Products)

Our modified Langstroth, insulated 10-frame SupRHives and 6-frame SupRNucs were developed for the Saskatchewan prairies but are now manufactured in Armstrong B.C. for all regions in this country.  

These innovative quality products are built with the following features:

• Bottom board:  R-5 insulation and permanent, waterproof entrance reducer.  

• Brood box:  four recessed handles

• Top feeder: This inner cover doubles as an innovative top feeder.  It has a 1/4" space and upper entrance on the underside with a permanent, waterproof sliding reducer that reduces the size of the entrance when desired.  This design allows the bees to exit and enter above the frames.  Also, when feeding, unless you are inspecting the colony, the top feeder is not removed.  Simply feed from above.  The feeder has a 2" space above with two 2" feeder holes with plugs for feeding and a piece of R-5 insulation that is inserted when not feeding.  These top feeders are designed to stay on top of the brood boxes and or honey supers year round.The R-5 insulation is designed to be left on the feeder 24/7, when not feeding.   Feed with pail feeder (with shelter box), pollen patty, fondant and/or sugar cakes.  

• Top cover or lid:  R-5 insulation.  Comes with or without optional vent and reducer similar to the entrance reducer on the inner top feeder.  This cover nestles into the top feeder and is flush with the rest of the hive (no overhang).

• Telescopic cover, optional for both 10 or 6 frame hives.  No tin cover supplied, however the BeeMaid tin cover fits our 10-frame telescopic cover.

• Follower boards:  R-5 styrofoam follower boards insulate and restrict (or crowd) the size of any brood area when expanding a nuc or any brood area.

• Temperature control:  During periods of extreme heat or cold, 2" of insulation above the frames (lid and top feeder) helps to control the temperature fluctuation.  During a recent study in Armstrong B.C. two inches of insulation on top of standard, non-insulated nucs during extreme heat in 2021 reduced temperature fluctuation in the nuc by over 3 degrees C. 

• Moisture control: A major advantage of these insulated hives is the lack of moisture noted year-round.  In Saskatchewan over three years with 100 10-frame and hundreds of 6- frame hives we noted almost no excess moisture in the hives.  Same situation was observed in the Okanagan with several  of our hives hives over 5 years.   We do not recommend quilt boxes or anything above the frames to collect moisture.  The moisture is still in the hive. It also adds a lot of extra work, time and equipment.  We believe it is is far better to try to provide an environment with reduced moisture.  We do, however respect the variety of beekeeping practices for various reasons.

Ordering:  

• One can purchase purchase a three or four piece kit (top cover, inner cover/top feeder bottom board and optional telescopic cover) that will convert your existing hive to a SupRHive.  We advise the addition of a telescopic top cover and/or piece of oversized plywood to prevent rain from entering the hive as the sides of the product are flush. 

• Purchase the above units either with brood chambers and supers (if available).  We do not provide frames.