{"product_id":"oz-armour-3-level-flat-pack-beehive-mesh-bottom-board","title":"OZ ARMOUR 3-Level Flat Pack Hive - Mesh Bottom Board","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Flat Pack Beehive for the Beekeeper Happy to Build and Paint\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two kinds of beekeepers when a new hive arrives. One wants it on the stand with bees in it by the weekend. The other wants the boxes on the bench, a drill in hand and a tin of paint open, partly to save money and partly because a hive you built is a hive you understand. Flat pack is for the second kind, and for anyone setting up more than one hive at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the OZ ARMOUR three-level flat pack. \u003cstrong\u003eThree full-depth boxes\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003e22mm New Zealand pine\u003c\/strong\u003e arrive as panels with the \u003cstrong\u003escrews supplied\u003c\/strong\u003e. The \u003cstrong\u003emesh bottom board with beetle trap tray\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003eventilated lid\u003c\/strong\u003e come already assembled, so the fiddly parts are done. Choose \u003cstrong\u003e8 frame or 10 frame\u003c\/strong\u003e. Nothing is painted, so you choose the colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e22mm Pine for Tight Corners\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe panels are the same 22mm pine as the assembled OZ ARMOUR hives, \u003cstrong\u003e3mm thicker\u003c\/strong\u003e than the 19mm timber in most imported flat packs. Thicker walls insulate the colony better, give the screws plenty of timber to bite into and make a box less likely to twist while you clamp it square. Painted and kept off the ground, these boxes last \u003cstrong\u003e15 to 20 years or more\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMesh Bottom Board With Beetle Trap, Already Assembled\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStainless mesh sits over a \u003cstrong\u003eremovable tray\u003c\/strong\u003e. Beetles chased by the bees drop through and cannot get back up, and a layer of \u003cstrong\u003ediatomaceous earth\u003c\/strong\u003e in the tray finishes them off with no chemicals near the comb. The same tray works as a \u003cstrong\u003evarroa monitoring board\u003c\/strong\u003e: oil it, slide it in for \u003cstrong\u003e24 to 48 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e and count the mite drop. This is the standard timber mesh board, so it gets a coat of paint with the boxes. The wax-dipped mesh bottom board is sold separately and swaps straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssembled Ventilated Lid\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lid arrives built. Its ventilation lets hot air out of the top on a 40 degree day, keeping bees foraging instead of fanning at the entrance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Assembly Involves\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach box is \u003cstrong\u003efour panels and a handful of screws\u003c\/strong\u003e. Dry-fit the corners, run a bead of exterior wood glue along the joints, drive the screws and check the box is square by measuring corner to corner. Three boxes take an hour or two. Then paint two coats of exterior acrylic on the outside only, leaving the inside bare, and let it cure for a few days before the colony goes in. Order at least a fortnight before your bees are due.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrames: Assembled and Wired, Unassembled or None\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose assembled and wired frames, unassembled frames, or none. Either frame option gives you \u003cstrong\u003e24 frames\u003c\/strong\u003e for the 8-frame hive or \u003cstrong\u003e30\u003c\/strong\u003e for the 10-frame, enough for all three boxes. Foundation is not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8 Frame or 10 Frame, and Running Three Boxes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTen-frame\u003c\/strong\u003e is the Australian standard and holds more honey per box. \u003cstrong\u003eEight-frame\u003c\/strong\u003e boxes are lighter when full. In spring, run two brood boxes under one super, then go to one brood box with two supers once the flow is on. A queen excluder is needed above the brood box and is not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlat Pack or Assembled and Painted\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assembled and painted 3-level hive with the wax-dipped mesh bottom board is the same timber, built, painted white and ready for bees, with a metal queen excluder in the box. The flat pack asks for that weekend back, plus paint, glue and an excluder. If you are setting up two or three hives, enjoy the work or want a colour other than white, the flat pack is the better value.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e OZ ARMOUR\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTimber:\u003c\/strong\u003e 22mm New Zealand pine, unpainted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 full-depth boxes (flat pack, screws supplied), 1 assembled mesh bottom board with beetle trap tray, 1 assembled ventilated lid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBottom board:\u003c\/strong\u003e standard timber mesh board, paint with the boxes (wax-dipped version sold separately)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 frame or 10 frame Langstroth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrames:\u003c\/strong\u003e assembled and wired, unassembled, or without; 24 frames (8 frame) or 30 frames (10 frame)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e paint, wood glue, foundation, queen excluder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e all standard Langstroth components\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Beekeeping Gear","offers":[{"title":"10 Frames \/ Assembled \u0026 Wired Frames","offer_id":40054235136085,"sku":null,"price":321.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Frames \/ Unassembled Frames","offer_id":40054235103317,"sku":null,"price":272.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Frames \/ Without Frames","offer_id":40054235070549,"sku":null,"price":223.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Frames \/ Assembled \u0026 Wired Frames","offer_id":40054235234389,"sku":null,"price":314.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Frames \/ Unassembled Frames","offer_id":40054235201621,"sku":null,"price":267.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 Frames \/ Without Frames","offer_id":40054235168853,"sku":null,"price":217.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0062\/5029\/9477\/files\/6756622893141.jpg?v=1756972222","url":"https:\/\/www.beekeepinggear.com.au\/products\/oz-armour-3-level-flat-pack-beehive-mesh-bottom-board","provider":"Beekeeping Gear","version":"1.0","type":"link"}