Types of Bee Hives

Hive Types where the bees live This class will discuss the different types of Hive Bodies in use – not just here, but around the world. They are: Skep Hives Langstroth Hives Top Bar Hives Warre Hives Give warning that this is an area where beekeepers often preach their type of “beekeeper religion”. Our objective in this class is to be “beekeeper agnostic” LOL

Important notes: the bees do not care. Pick the one that is easiest for YOU based on size, cost, & advice of YOUR beekeeper mentor. There is no “right” or “wrong” type. (well, mostly….) Give warning that this is an area where beekeepers often preach their type of “beekeeper religion”. Our objective in this class is to be “beekeeper agnostic” LOL

Skep Hives Been in use for CENTURIES Usually made out of straw or some other natural fibrous material. Hollow on the inside. Basically, it’s just a basket. The bees will build their comb however they choose Harvesting honey destroys the entire hive Because the hive is completely destroyed, these are not legal for use here in the U.S.

Top Bar Hives A hive which is a single box, usually made in a “trapezoid” shape. Very popular in underdeveloped countries because they can be built cheaply. Key features Does not use “frames” – there are “bars” on the top (hence the name) which the bees use to build their comb.

Top Bar Hives Advantages: Cheaper – you can build yourself (often with spare lumber) Handle 1 piece of comb at a time (easier on your back)

Top Bar Hives Disadvantages: Can be harder to get new colony of bees to stay in hive long enough to establish themselves Harvesting the honey destroys the comb – bees have to rebuild it. Size of the colony is limited to the size of the box. Bees will sometimes build “creative comb” (cross comb, tying several bars together). This makes it harder to manage & collect honey.

Langstroth Hives The “square box” hive which is in wide use here in the U.S. The distinguishing characteristic is that it uses “frames” onto which the bees build honeycomb. The frames can be moved around and manipulated with ease. The boxes come in 2 widths – one which holds 10 frames and another which holds 8 frames. The boxes also come in 2 primary heights: Why 2 sizes of boxes? Easier to carry! A deep sized frame holds 5-6 lbs of honey (* 10 = 55lbs). A “medium super” holds ~3lbs (* 10 = 30lbs) 9 9⁄16 inch “deep” (most often used on the bottom for brood comb) 6 5⁄8 inch “medium” (most often used as a “honey super”)

Langstroth Hives Advantages: Disadvantages: Well defined size and shape – can buy components from a wide number of vendors Honey collection is easier and does not destroy the comb Size of hive body can be adjusted to fit the size of the bee colony Take up less “real estate” (important if you have more than a couple of hives) Comb building takes A LOT of resources from the bees. Resources they could otherwise use to make more honey. Honey collection ease is THE REASON virtually 100% of commercial beekeepers use Langstroths. Disadvantages: Can get “tall” (hard for short people) Boxes can get heavy (especially when full of honey)

Warre Hives Developed in France. Sort of a hybrid between a Langstroth and a Top Bar. Made of boxes with 8 top bars (no foundation) Key idea is that as bees need more room, new boxes are added to the BOTTOM Why 2 sizes of boxes? Easier to carry! A deep sized frame holds 5-6 lbs of honey (* 10 = 55lbs). A “medium super” holds ~3lbs (* 10 = 30lbs)

Warre Hives Advantages: Disadvantages: To be honest, I can think of any. They are mildly popular in Europe (mostly France), especially among people who want to keep bees for pollination, but not honey collection (ie. “hands off” beekeepers). Disadvantages: To add a box, you have to lift the entire existing hive. (yikes!) To collect honey, it MUST be done with “crush & strain” Why 2 sizes of boxes? Easier to carry! A deep sized frame holds 5-6 lbs of honey (* 10 = 55lbs). A “medium super” holds ~3lbs (* 10 = 30lbs)

Other hive types: Horizontal Langstroth A hybrid between Langstroth Hives and a Top Bar. Basically a deep hive that can hold 30-50 frames Advantages: Allows the use of standardized frames (and foundation) easier honey extraction cleaner comb building Only lift 1 frame at a time (not entire boxes) Disadvantages: Not expandable Have to build your own from scratch Why 2 sizes of boxes? Easier to carry! A deep sized frame holds 5-6 lbs of honey (* 10 = 55lbs). A “medium super” holds ~3lbs (* 10 = 30lbs)

Other hive types: Flow Hive I’ll be blunt here – this is a gimmick that was designed to prey on people who didn’t know any better. The “benefits” they offer (supposedly easier to harvest honey) are miniscule. While the disadvantages are they are EXHOBITANTLY expensive, provide a haven for pests (esp. small hive beetles), and likely will not last long (bees tend to propolize things that move) Do NOT waste your money on this. Why 2 sizes of boxes? Easier to carry! A deep sized frame holds 5-6 lbs of honey (* 10 = 55lbs). A “medium super” holds ~3lbs (* 10 = 30lbs)