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Nizhegorodets hives are a modern type of house for bees. No traditional wood is used to make them. The hives are made from polyurethane foam. The design is light, durable, warm, and rot-resistant.
Features of hives Nizhny Novgorod
A special feature of a modern bee house is that the Nizhny Novgorod hive is made of polyurethane foam. The model surpassed the Finnish BiBox in its performance, as well as the Polish designs of Tomasz Lyson. The hive was developed by Nizhny Novgorod craftsmen. This is where the name came from.
Nizhny Novgorod is designed like a traditional vertical beehive. Depending on the dimensions, the case can accommodate 6, 10 or 12 frames of the Dadanovskaya (435x300 mm) or Rutovskaya (435x230 mm) model. Six-frame hives have appeared since 2016. In addition to the stationary Dadanov and Rutkov frames, Nizhny Novgorod cases can be used with half-frames measuring 435x145 mm. This design is called a store or extension.
Nizhny Novgorod hives are cast in special matrices that give the product the desired shape.The ends of the cases and magazines are equipped with a connecting lock like folds. The connection is loose and has a small horizontal play of about 1 mm, which makes it easier to separate the elements. The bottom of the hive is covered with a steel mesh. To insulate it, a polycarbonate liner is provided. The roof is equipped with ventilation holes. The intensity of air exchange is regulated by plugs.
At the top of Nizhny Novgorod there are no entrances. The shelf is replaced with thick PET film. The canvas completely covers the honeycombs, without leaving the slightest gap for ventilation. Nizhegorodets is equipped with a ceiling feeder. The internal space for frames has been expanded by 50 mm. There are recesses on the outside of the cases that act as handles. The corners of the hives have technical gaps, making it easier to separate the bodies by prying them with a chisel.
What materials are they made from?
The Nizhny Novgorod hive is produced from PPU - polyurethane foam. The material is resistant to moisture and is used in construction for thermal insulation. Polyurethane foam has the following characteristics:
- density varies from 30 to 150 kg/m3;
- the thermal conductivity of 1 cm of polyurethane foam is equal to 12 cm of wood;
- products made from polyurethane foam can last up to 25 years;
- the material rejects moisture and provides excellent sound insulation inside the hive;
- bees and rodents do not eat polyurethane foam;
- Due to the absence of toxic emissions, PUF is harmless to bees, humans, and beekeeping products.
Polyurethane foam hives from Nizhny Novgorod are not afraid of the effects of most aggressive chemicals.
Advantages of hives made of polyurethane foam Nizhegorodets
Considering the good characteristics of polyurethane foam, we can highlight the main advantages of hives made from this material:
- Warmth and a favorable microclimate are maintained inside the hive in winter;
- due to high sound insulation, the peace of bee colonies is maintained;
- Compared to wood, polyurethane foam does not rot or change its characteristics when exposed to moisture;
- Nizhny Novgorod is lightweight, the body is easy to move to another place;
- the hives are easy to use, resistant to mechanical stress and rodents;
- subject to operating conditions, according to reviews, Nizhegorodets hives made of polyurethane foam can last at least 5 years;
- due to the smooth and waterproof walls inside the hive, it is convenient to disinfect;
- Thanks to good heat conservation, Nizhny Novgorod does without additional insulating mats, which are a source of accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms.
The safety of Nizhny Novgorod hives is confirmed by the fact that in the factory, the manufacturing material is tested for toxicity by SES services. A house made of polyurethane foam is completely safe for bees, which cannot be guaranteed about a wooden analogue, where harmful bacteria may remain after self-processing.
Disadvantages of hives made of polyurethane foam Nizhegorodets
According to reviews, the Nizhny Novgorod PPU hive has a number of disadvantages. Most often they are associated with improper operation. The following disadvantages are identified:
- Despite their long service life, it is recommended to replace polyurethane foam hives every 5 years.
- The self-extinguishing and non-flammability of polyurethane foam is an advertising myth. Polyurethane foam is resistant to fire. At high temperatures the material begins to melt.
- Polyurethane foam is destroyed by UV rays. The hive should be hidden in the shade or painted with a thick layer of paint with a color that reflects the sun's rays.
- You need to buy Nizhny Novgorod only from the manufacturer.Dubious companies cast hives from cheap polyurethane foam with increased toxicity. A fake house will harm the bees and spoil the honey.
- PPU does not allow air to pass through. The effect of a thermos is created inside the hive. In case of poor ventilation, humidity increases, bees get sick, and colony productivity decreases.
According to reviews from beekeepers, Nizhegorodets hives sometimes change the taste of honey, and in addition, foreign sediment may appear. Negative consequences arise when the rules for keeping bees are violated, as well as in the case of using uncertified products.
Features of keeping bees in Nizhny Novgorod hives
According to reviews, the Nizhny Novgorod hive is not much different in service. However, there are a number of nuances, and they are related to the peculiarity of polyurethane foam. First of all, the problem arises with condensation. Moisture is removed through a tap hole and a hole in the bottom. Be sure to provide round-the-clock air exchange.
The technology for keeping bees in Nizhny Novgorod has the following features:
- For the winter, the nests are not covered with a pillow. Polyurethane foam retains heat well, in addition, the insulation is enhanced by the ceiling trough.
- The bottom is covered with a polycarbonate liner in the spring during egg laying. At other times of the year the liner is not needed. Air exchange and condensate removal are ensured through the mesh.
- For wintering the hive in omshanik They don’t bring it in. Otherwise, the lid must be equipped with ventilation liners and an open mesh bottom is left.
- During oviposition in the spring, the behavior of the bees is monitored. Pumping out of the taphole indicates increased humidity. To increase air exchange, open the window of the mesh bottom of Nizhny Novgorod by pulling out the liner.
- When transporting hives, the ventilation holes are closed with plugs.
- A closed space is formed inside Nizhny Novgorod. In autumn, there is an accumulation of carbon dioxide. This has a positive effect on the uterus. Oviposition stops in a timely manner, and the bees enter a calm stage.
- In winter, a magazine extension is installed for feeding. If the hives remain in the field, feed consumption increases as the mesh bottom remains open. Under similar conditions, lower feed consumption is observed in wooden hives with a solid bottom.
- During wintering on the street, Nizhegorodets is raised onto high stands. Condensation flowing through the mesh bottom will freeze into a lump under the house.
Beehives made from polyurethane foam will be useful if you know how to handle them correctly. Beekeepers advise purchasing 1-2 Nizhny Novgorod houses for an apiary. When the experiment is successful, most of the wooden hives can be replaced with polyurethane foam analogues.
Conclusion
Novice beekeepers should not buy Nizhny Novgorod hives. First, you need to perfectly understand the technology of bee breeding, their weak and strong points, and it is better to do this with wooden houses. With experience, the apiary can be expanded by adding polyurethane foam hives.
Hello, I recently bought Nizhny Novgorod hives, I ordered a bottom pollen collector to go with them, so far there are no complaints about the hive, but the pollen collector “turned out” wrong. All the “dirt” that falls from above, i.e. the waste of the bee colony ends up in the pollen collector and what we have is not a pollen collector, but a DUST COLLECTOR. And secondly, according to the video advertisement, Cockroaches shows a pollen collector tray made of stainless steel, but the order is sent out of plastic. Buying plastic for 1500 is also unpleasant.