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Omshanik resembles a barn, but differs in its internal structure. In order for the bees to winter successfully, the building must be properly equipped. There are options for omshaniks that are more reminiscent of a cellar or a basement partially buried in the ground. Every beekeeper can build a winter hut for bees of any design.
What is omshanik
To give a precise definition, an omshanik is an insulated outbuilding equipped for winter storage of hives with bees. During the entire cold period, the beekeeper enters the winter hut a maximum of 4 times. The visit is subject to a health inspection. The beekeeper checks the hives, looking for rodents and mold on the hives.
Winter shelters are usually built small. The internal space should be enough to accommodate beehives with bees and a small passage so that the beekeeper can carry out inspections. For example, the size of an omshanik for 30 bee colonies reaches 18 m2. The ceiling height is made up to 2.5 m. To reduce the area of the hive, they can be placed in tiers; for this purpose, racks, shelves, and other devices are equipped inside the building. In summer the winter hut is empty. It is used instead of a barn or storage.
What types of winter shelters are there?
Depending on the type of installation, there are three types of bee shelters:
- The ground-mounted winter hut resembles a regular barn. The building is often erected by novice beekeepers who are not confident in the further development of their business. The construction of an above-ground winter hut is less labor-intensive and requires small financial investments. Despite all efforts to insulate the storage, in severe frosts it will have to be heated.
- Experienced beekeepers prefer underground winter huts. The building resembles a large cellar. The construction of a winter shelter is labor-intensive, since it is necessary to dig a deep pit. You will have to hire earth-moving equipment, which entails additional costs. However, inside the underground omshanik the above-zero temperature is constantly maintained. Even in severe frosts it does not need to be heated.
- Combined winter hut for bees combines two previous designs. The building resembles a semi-basement, buried in the ground up to the window to a depth of 1.5 m. The combined winter hut is placed in an area where there is a threat of flooding with groundwater. It is more convenient to enter a partially buried basement because there are fewer steps. The presence of windows provides the interior space with natural light, but at the same time increases heat loss.
If an underground or combined type of omshanik is chosen for construction, the location of groundwater is calculated not to the surface of the earth, but to the floor level. The indicator must be at least 1 m.Otherwise there is a risk of flooding. There will always be dampness inside the winter hut, which is harmful for the bees.
Requirements for an omshanik
To build a good omshanik with your own hands, you need to know the requirements for construction:
- The size of the bee storage should correspond to the number of hives. The houses are neatly arranged. If multi-tiered storage of hives is provided, racks are made. Additionally, they are thinking about the future expansion of the apiary. So that later you don’t have to complete the construction of the winter hut, it is immediately made in large sizes. The spare space is temporarily fenced off with a partition to reduce heat loss. It is optimal to allocate about 0.6 m for single-walled hives3 premises. A minimum of 1 m is allocated for double-walled sunbeds3 space. It is impossible to underestimate the size of the storage for bees. It is inconvenient to maintain the hive in cramped conditions. Excess space will lead to greater heat loss.
- The roof must be sloped to prevent precipitation from accumulating. The roofing materials used are slate and roofing felt. The roof is insulated to the maximum with natural materials: straw, reeds. If the winter hut is located near a forest, the roof can be covered with spruce branches.
- There is usually only one entrance. Additional doors will increase heat loss. Two entrances are made in a large omshanik, where more than 300 hives with bees will winter.
- In addition to the roof, all structural elements of the omshanik are insulated, especially for above-ground and combined winter shelters. To make the bees feel comfortable in the cold, the walls are insulated with foam plastic or mineral wool. The floor is laid from boards, raising the lags from the ground by 20 cm.
- Natural lighting through the windows is enough for the combined and above-ground winter huts.A cable is laid in the underground chamber for bees and a lantern is hung. Bees do not need strong lighting. 1 light bulb is enough, but the beekeeper needs it more.
- Ventilation is definitely needed. Dampness accumulates inside the winter hut, which is harmful to bees. The humidity level is especially high in underground storage. Natural ventilation is equipped with air ducts installed at different ends of the omshanik.
If all requirements are met, an optimal microclimate for bees will be maintained inside the winter hut.
What temperature should it be in Omshanik in winter?
The bees must constantly maintain a positive temperature inside the winter hut. Optimal indicator + 5 OC. If the thermometer drops below, artificial heating of the bees is arranged.
How to build an above-ground shelter for bees
The easiest option for a winter shelter is a ground-type construction. Most often, ready-made structures are adapted. They make an omshanik from a greenhouse, a barn, or an apiary shed. With the onset of warm weather, the hives with bees are taken out, and the building is used for its intended purpose.
If there is no empty structure on the site, they begin to build a winter shelter. Aboveground omshanik is collected from wood. Natural material is a good insulator, which eliminates the need to install additional layers of thermal insulation.
For omshanik, choose a dry area that is not flooded with sewage. It is advisable to find a place protected from drafts. The foundation of the winter hut is made of pillars. They are dug in to a depth of 80 cm in increments of 1-1.5 m. The pillars rise 20 cm above ground level and are located in the same plane.
A timber frame is laid on the foundation, logs are nailed at 60 cm intervals, and the floor is laid with boards. The result is a wooden platform in the form of a large shield.The uprights of the winter hut frame and the top frame are similarly made from timber. Immediately provide for the location of windows and doors in the hut for bees. The frame is covered with boards. It is easier to make a pitched roof. You can try to build a gable roof for the winter hut, then the attic space can be used to store apiary equipment.
How to build an underground omshanik
The most insulated room for wintering bees is considered to be underground. However, it is difficult and expensive to build. The main difficulty lies in digging a pit and erecting walls.
For underground omshanik, an area with deep groundwater is chosen. Preference is given to elevated areas so that the basement does not flood with rain even when the snow melts. Dig a pit 2.5 m deep. The width and length depend on the number of hives with bees.
The bottom of the pit is leveled, compacted, and covered with a cushion of sand and crushed stone. Reinforcing mesh is laid on brick stands and filled with concrete. The solution is allowed to harden for about a week. One of the walls of the pit is cut off at an angle and the entry point is arranged. In the future, steps will be laid out here.
The walls of the bee house are made of brick, cinder block, or poured monolithic from concrete. In the latter option, it will be necessary to erect formwork around the perimeter of the foundation pit and install a reinforcing frame made of rods. Before constructing the walls of the winter hut from any material, the walls of the pit are covered with roofing felt. The material will serve as waterproofing and protect the omshanik from moisture penetration. Simultaneously with the construction of the walls, the steps of the winter hut are being built. They can also be poured from concrete or lined with cinder blocks.
When the walls of the omshanik are completed, a roof frame is created. It should protrude slightly from the ground, and is made at a slope. A timber or metal pipe is used for the frame. Sheathing is done with boards. The top of the roof is covered with roofing felt. You can additionally lay slate. For insulation, reeds and spruce branches are thrown on top.
To provide ventilation, holes are cut in the roof on opposite sides of the building. The air ducts are inserted from a plastic pipe, and protective caps are put on top. When the winter hut for bees has been built with your own hands, they begin to arrange the interior: lay the floor, install shelving, install lighting.
How to build a semi-underground omshanik with your own hands
A combined winter hut for bees is built similarly to an underground hut. The depth of the pit is dug about 1.5 m. The walls are made of concrete, brick or cinder block to ground level. Above, you can continue the construction from a similar material or install a wooden frame. A simpler option is based on assembling a frame from timber and sheathing with boards according to the principle of an above-ground building. The roof of the winter hut can be single or gable as desired.
Important nuances when building a winter road
In order for the wintering of bees in the omshanik to be successful, it is necessary to create a favorable microclimate. You can achieve good results if you properly insulate the building, organize ventilation, and heating.
How to make ventilation in omshanik
Bees spend the winter in a club, and union occurs when the thermometer drops below + 8 OC. The insects inside the hive heat themselves. Bees produce heat due to the process of breakdown of sugars from consumed fertilizers. However, carbon dioxide is released along with heat.Its concentration can reach 3%. Additionally, the bees' breath releases steam, which increases the humidity level. Excess carbon dioxide and steam are harmful to insects.
Bees are quite wise and arrange ventilation in their hives on their own. Insects leave the required number of holes. Through the vents, a portion of fresh air enters the bees inside the hives. Carbon dioxide and steam are discharged outside and accumulate in the soil. At high concentrations, the bees weaken and consume a lot of food. Insects become restless due to digestive system disorders.
Moisture and carbon dioxide are removed through a ventilation system. It is optimal to make it adjustable with dampers. In a large home, it is optimal to equip the hood with a fan. To ensure that only dirty air located under the ceiling is drawn out, a screen is attached under the air duct.
The most popular ventilation in omshanik for bees is the supply and exhaust system diagram. The winter shelter is equipped with two air ducts located in opposite parts of the room. The pipes lead to the street. The hood is cut off under the ceiling, leaving a protrusion of 20 cm. The supply pipe is lowered to the floor, leaving a gap of 30 cm.
The simplest ventilation scheme is one pipe led outside and cut off at the ceiling inside the house. However, the system only works great in winter. In spring, air exchange stops completely. The problem can only be solved by installing a fan inside the air duct.
How to insulate omshanik with polystyrene foam
Heating the omshanik, most often made from electric heaters, helps maintain positive temperatures.However, poor insulation of the winter hut will lead to heat loss and increased energy consumption for heating. Thermal insulation of the roof from the inside of the building is optimally done with polystyrene foam. You can buy sheets or take pieces from the packaging of household appliances. The polystyrene foam is secured with polyurethane foam, pressed with wooden planks or stretched wire. You can cover the insulation with plywood, but the costs of arranging the omshanik will increase.
If the winter hut is above ground, you can insulate the walls with polystyrene foam. The technology is similar. The sheets are inserted between the frame posts and covered with fiberboard, plywood or other sheet material.
If the underground omshanik is completely poured from concrete, all structural elements are covered with waterproofing. Roofing felt, mastic or hot bitumen will do. Foam sheets are attached to the waterproofing, and sheathing is placed on top.
After insulation, heating may be unnecessary. Bees do not need high temperatures. It is optimal to install a thermostat for the homestead, which will regulate the switching on and off of electric heaters. Inside the winter hut the set temperature will be constantly established, automatically maintained without the participation of the beekeeper.
Preparing bees for wintering in omshanik
There is no exact date for sending bees to Omshanik. It all depends on the air temperature. Beekeepers individually take into account the climatic conditions of their area. Bees benefit from staying outside longer. When the thermometer consistently drops below zero at night and does not rise above + 4 during the day OIt's time to move the hives. For most regions, this period begins on October 25. Usually, before November 11, hives with bees must be brought into the omshanik.
Before moving the houses, the omshanik is dried inside.The walls, floor and ceiling are treated with lime solution. The racks are being prepared. Just before the introduction, the room is cooled so that the bees brought in from the street do not feel the temperature difference. The hives are transported carefully with the entrances closed. When all the houses are brought in, the ventilation of the omshanik is increased. During this period, it is necessary to remove the dampness formed from the condensation that appears on the surface of the hives. The entrances are opened after a couple of days, when the bees become calmer.
Conclusion
Omshanik is necessary for a beekeeper living in an area with a harsh climate. Bees overwintering under cover recover faster in the spring and do not lose their ability to work.
