FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Q: How should I use the screens for optimum protection?

A: Make sure the ' 2mm horizontal lip' of the screen faces towards your hive. This creates a seal, keeps the screen straight and prevents any gaps. If you turn the screen to change the location of the wasp guard entrance, simply add a push pin above the screen to ensure no gaps above and a nice straight screen. 

 

Q: Do I have to put the storage rack under the entrance block? 

A: For hives with no landing board: Yes, this must go directly under the entrance block to form a 'seal' and prevent any wasps/ bees etc forcing their way under the screen. The screen in use should 'sit' neatly on the storage rack. Use the supplied black 'O' Rings to keep the screens straight and in place. In windy areas (or some poly hives) we recommend a little glue as well to ensure the storage rack does not fall off. 

For hives with a landing board: No, the landing board allows the screen to sit neatly and prevents any gaps forming. Attach your storage rack wherever is most convenient for you. 

 

Q: What are the enclosed pins for? 

A: The drawing pins are for the three holes of the storage rack. We recommend that you add a little glue if you need it, to make sure the storage rack does not fall off in high winds or from passing knocks. 

The larger push pins are for the 'wings' of the entrance block. Use them to secure in place. The weight of the hive and the bees' propolis will secure the entrance block into place. 

 

Q: My hive entrance is quite long and the wings for the pins don't reach?

A: No problem - contact us for a free adaptor today - this will attach to your entrance block and extend the reach. 

 

Q: My entrance is quite tall and I find that I have a few mm above the entrance block. Is this ok? 

A: Bees and wasps need a minimum of 4.2mm to get through. However, we want you to be thrilled with your Multi-Guard. We have spare recycled plastic parts from the prototype stage and are happy to send out a piece for you to slide into the gap (in matching colours!). Please just ask - we would rather put them to good use than waste anything. 

 

Q: Who do you use for delivery? 

A: All parcels are sent by Royal Mail Tracked 24. 

 

Q: What does Hive-Five do to help the environment? 

A: We don't like greenwashing. We use recycled materials to make the Multi-Guard. It is made in Rochester, Kent, to reduce the delivery miles and to ensure we work with other local businesses. Tool Makers | Injection Moulders | R E Knight Ltd in Kent UK

All our boxes are bespoke, designed by a company in Mereworth, Kent, to reduce packaging to an absolute minimum and to reduce our postage costs, hence being able to offer free postage. They are suitable to burn in smokers or ideal to be reused. Bespoke & Stock Corrugated Cardboard Box Manufacturers.

We use paper tape rather than Sellotape to seal the boxes. Stamps over stickers. The post office we use to post is less than 2 miles away and we cycle to drop off the parcels (weather permitting). 

The Multi-Guard is UV treated to make this product last. We will introduce a recycling scheme in a few years' time. 

We use a thermal (no ink) printer for our delivery labels are researching ways to effectively print the delivery address direct to the box with no sticky label. Please get in touch if you know of a cost effective way to do this!