I installed the improved old hive last week. All the openings are sealed, waiting for the new package on 4/23.                         

I leveled it this time using the blocks, which I hope will interrupt the life cycle of the small hive beetles, although I'm not sure the blocks cover enough ground.

This is the new hive on the porch. I haven't finished the top but everything else is done. The new bees arrive April 23.  It's a shame that they are missing all the pollen that's out there now.

The feeder is in the middle because the entrance is on the right. Observation windows on either side.  



Here are the entrance holes. I rebuilt the storm window. The entrances are " (inside diameter) PVC pipes 5 inches long. They are about 12 feet off the ground so I think it will cause the hive beetles serious problems.

Closeup of the entrance.

Entrance from the inside. I put the pipes flush with the inside.  Lining up the hive and the storm window was a serious challenge but it was successful.