DESCRIPTION

Creek Basket Hive is an age old technology about which Aristotle has written – in 350 B.C. This technology is still pretty appropriate as it involves local material and local skill for its fabrication. 

CONSTRUCTION

The basket has a wide top and a narrow base. The top is covered with parallel wooden bars 1.25 inches wide, placed close together in such a manner so as to form a bee-proof cover. Each bar is convex length wise (on the underside), with a clearance of about one inch. The convexing must come in the middle of the bar. Both ends should be left flat for about 2-3 inches to prevent the bees from passing through the ends where bars, which are larger than the circumference of the basket, rest on the rim of the basket. (see figure 1). 

Along the length, in the middle of every bar, a fine piece of comb is fixed underneath, with melted bee wax to guide the bees to build straight combs. The basket is plastered inside and out with a mixture of two parts of fresh cow dung to one part of clay. (figure 2). When the plaster is dry, the bars are placed on top of the basket which is then covered with a conical hat made of thatch to protect from sun and rain. (see figure 3). 

It is vital to have the hive entrance at least three inches from the bottom so that if a comb does fall, the entrance will not be blocked. (See figure 4). When the honey is ripe and the honey-flow is over, the combs are cut from the bars. However, a fine strip of comb, no more than quarter inch, is left on each bar to guide the bees to build straight, new combs again. 

SOURCE

Centre of Science for Villages, Magan Sangrahalaya, Wardha - 442 001, Maharashtra