How to Make a Skep Hive
Bee skep hives have housed bees from ancient times. The skeps came in a wide range of sizes from small, 10-inch diameter hives to hives with a 2-foot diameter. Most skeps are dome-shaped and round. This shape mimics the natural contours of a hollow log, one of the favorite homes of wild bees. Some artisans weave skeps like baskets and cover the outside with morter, mud or even dung. Traditional bee skep hives use wound ropes made from straw and split cane.
Things You'll Need
- Straw
- Split cane
- Small tub of water
- Clean milk bottle
- Scissors
- Large needle
- Jute twine
- Lemon or bee balm
Instructions
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1
Gather a bushel of straw. The straw must be as long as possible. Baled straw is too short and broken. Talk to a local farmer about harvesting your straw. Cut the stalks as close to the ground as possible and cut off the head of the grain just below the bottom seed. Dry the stalks in the air for a week to form straw.
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2
Soak the split cane in a small tub of water to make the cane pliable. Split cane is available in rolls at upholstery stores. It is used to cane the backs and seats of wooden chairs.
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3
Cut the top third of the milk bottle with the scissors. Turn the top upside down to form a funnel.
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4
Push the straw through the wide portion of the funnel and out the hole. Wrap the column of straw tightly with pliable split cane. Wrap the cane around every inch of the straw to form a strong straw rope. Add straw to the back of the funnel, and continue to push straw through the funnel and wrap the rope until you have a foot of rope ready.
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Thread the needle with jute. Fold 1 inch of the end of the straw rope. Push the needle through the straw rope at the fold, and stitch the rope to itself. Wrap the rope around the initial fold to form a small disc. Stitch the rope to the fold to secure the coil. Start the second coil beside and slightly above the first coil. This begins to form a cup-shape. You are working on the skep from the top down.
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6
Continue making straw rope and wrapping the coils to form a dome approximately 14-inches in diameter. Once the dome is finished, continue to work down the sides of the skep. When the jute on the needle runs out, remove the needle and tie the next piece of jute to the end. Continue stitching the coils of straw rope together.
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7
Stitch the last coil in place. Trim the end of the straw to leave a small hole. This is where the bees will enter the hive. Rub the inside of your skep with lemon or bee balm to attract a swarm. Place the skep on a large board near flowering plants.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make your skep larger or smaller to suit your needs.
Jute doesn’t last as long as the split cane. If you wish, you can use split cane to hold the coil of straw rope together. Simply use an awl to push the split cane through the straw rope.
If you are making a skep for bees and live in a cold climate, consider covering the outside of your skep with mud to give your bees a warmer home.
Straw and split cane are tough to work with. You may want to use gloves to protect your hands.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
