After I installed the beehives into the bee house this door became a pain to use once the hives were populated.

I mean this literally as the bees exiting the first hive would get caught in my hair or in my cloths

Once the act of getting stung reach a certain point to warrant the effort of making the new door shown here.

I decided to use the old door to install my backup beehive interface into the bee house.

Preparing for the Hives

I cut an opening in the door to hold the frame. Note cardboard covering the opening to keep the bees from wandering into the house.

I designed and installed an awning out of some cedar planks.

I used 5, 2x4s to frame the area where the hives will be installed. The sides on the outside were covered with some old fence planks that I added Toung and groves to.

Here you can see some of the insulation that I inserted into the frame. All four sides will be insulated.

The top and bottom of the inside were covered with cedar fence planks that I added Toung and grooves.

The left and right sides were covered on the inside with plywood panels and painted.

I added shingles to the awning and caulked all seams. Note how the braces on the roof can allow the awning to be tilted. Here it is actually resting on the top of the frame. This will probably be the normal position, unless I am doing some sort of maintenance.

Testing the Hive Positions

I start playing with the hive locations.

Notice that the inside frame has been painted. This is not necessary, but does make it look better.

The hives are clamped together so I can move them as a whole to center them in the frame.

I even add a clamp in the front.

Level Adjustment

The hives are adjusted at about 1 degree leaning forward to keep any rain from flowing into the hive.

Front Trim

I add cedar trim to the front and caulk all seams with clear outdoor Silicon.

The adjustable roof supports are removed.

Rear Screens Installed

The new frames and rear screens are installed.

Foam Insert Installed

I make foam inserts from scraps I had left over from my large hives.

Conclusion

The backup hives are now ready to use.

The backup AZ hives will be integrated into my bee house workflow.

I have at least one hive that needs to be spit so I should get to that in the next couple days.

Updates 7/5/23

Hive Table

I added a removable hive table.

This gives me a place for various items and accessories when working the new hives.

Isolation Cover

I took a piece of 2” ridged foam insulation and cut it to fit the outside of the new hive interface on the bee house.

I used a CNC to mill the outer sides so that 1” will fit into the interface.

This provides a nice snug fit that is self supporting.

I added a couple wooded handles and some Melamine sheets so I can add to do lists.

The whole thing is very light and can easily be installed and removed in seconds.