When a beginner start beekeeping they confuse sometime in beehive choice that the reason I write this blog to help new beekeepers to chose beehive. Here I discuss different hives types, The Langstroth hive, Warre hive, Top-bar hive, Hex hive and Dome hive. Five common types of bees and benefits of Beekeeping are described in this article. What is a beehive? A beehive is an artificial box built with wood for bees. Humans create beehives to protect bees and their honey. Bees store their honey in beehives and live there. Bees create their nests in the jungle where they live. Manufactured Types of beehives are different from the hives or nests which we created for bees.
Types of Beehives.
Here is a list of different types of beehives:
- Langstroth Hive
- Top-Bar Hive
- Warre Hive
- Flow Hive
- Kenyan Top Bar Hive
- Slovenian Hive
- Horizontal Hive
- Long Langstroth Hive
- British National Hive
- Dadant Hive
- Smith Hive
- AZ Hive
- Golden Hive
- Rose Hive
- Sun Hive
Langstroth Beehive
One of the best types of beehive is Langstroth beehive which are used for beekeeping. This common type of beehive was the only beehive with a removable frame. Dr Langstroth is American teacher who designs Langstroth hive in 1852.
Benifits of Langstroth Beehive.
- Langstroth beehive accessible for beekeepers to check bees instantly.
- It consists of an inner-outer cover and frame.
- Removable Frames.
- This Hive is in Three Sizes Large, Medium and Small.
- Large contains 11 frames, medium with 8 frames, and small contains 5 frames.
- You can Change Hive Size Any time.
- Cheap to use.
United States beekeepers commonly use Langstroth bees. Langstroth is famous because of its removable frame, it is most popular. Its four sides frames make its easy to use. This beehive is comfertabel for honey Bees.
Langstroth Hive Parts
It contains two boards, top and bottom. Box with many frames. There is a small hole in the inner cover where bees enter and exit. Boxes are where bees store honey, these boxes are covered with steel roofs that protect bees from rain & other dangers.
Warre Beehive
Produced hives are unique in relation to Langstroth. It is a box hive with no frames. It is easier than other hives. When one box is filled, beekeepers easily place it up or down. Box’s method is entirely different from Langstroth’s. Best To use for all Honey making Bees.
Benifits of Warre Beehive
- Easy to use
- Cheap in Price
- Lite in weight
- Small parts easy for beekeepers to use.
When the beekeeper places a new box, bees have a new place to grow. Queen bees visit all areas of the hives. This method is less expensive and easy to use. Making a box is so easy. How to start beekeeping with Warre beehive.
Ware Beehive Parts
| 1 | Roof | The topmost part of the beehive that protects the colony from rain, snow, and direct sunlight. It helps maintain a stable temperature inside the hive and provides ventilation. |
| 2 | Quilt or Quilt Box | Located directly under the roof, the quilt is a crucial component in the Warre hive design. It acts as an insulating layer, helping to regulate the hive’s temperature and moisture levels. The quilt box is filled with straw or wood shavings, which absorb excess moisture and prevent condensation. |
| 3 | Top Bars | These are horizontal bars that run across the width of the hive. They form the foundation for the bees to build their comb. Unlike traditional beehives, the Warre hive uses top bars instead of frames. |
| 4 | Boxes or Hive Bodies | Warre hives consist of multiple boxes stacked on top of each other. These boxes are where the bees build their comb and store honey and pollen. The number of boxes can vary depending on the strength of the colony and the size of the hive. |
| 5 | Comb Guides | Comb guides are thin strips of wood or plastic attached to the top bars. They help guide the bees in building straight combs, making hive inspections easier. |
| 6 | Observation Windows | Some Warre hives come with observation windows on the sides of the boxes. These windows allow beekeepers to check the hive’s activity and honey levels without disturbing the bees. |
| 7 | Entrance | The hive has a small entrance at the bottom through which bees enter and exit the hive. It can be adjusted to regulate ventilation and control the bees’ access points. |
| 8 | Floor | The bottom part of the beehive, providing a foundation for the rest of the hive. Some Warre hives have removable floors that aid in monitoring Varroa mite infestations. |
Top Bar Hive
One of the oldest hives used in the world. They have four frames, and their shape looks like a piano. Bees easily maintain the temperature in this hive. The horizontal shape top bar is inexpensive. Bees make their comb naturally. How do bees make wax.
Top Bar hive box is 3 to 4 feet long. Bees are more comfortable in top bar beehive.
Top bar beehive
Top bar frames consist of long bars placed horizontally across the hive body, providing a guide for the bees to build their comb. Unlike the standardized rectangular frames used in Langstroth hives, top bar frames allow bees to construct natural-sized comb, which promotes more natural behavior and reduces the risk of certain bee diseases.
One of the significant advantages of top bar hives is their simplicity. The absence of complex frame components and foundation sheets simplifies hive assembly and inspection. Beekeepers can easily manage the hive without the need for expensive equipment, making it an attractive option for beginners and small-scale beekeeping operations.
Flow Hive
Flow hive was invented in 2015 in Australia. The hive size makes it easy for everyone to use. Bees filled 5 to 6 frames in a week. There are 75,000 users of flow hive all over the world. Easier to use. Don’t need to know how to use a flow hive. The best advantage of flow hives is that we get honey without any work. Bees in Australia.
Hexagonal Beehive (Hex Beehive)
Another best type of beehive for beginners is hex beehive. This beehive is hexagonal in shape; no amy frame is used. Hex beehive has several compartments placed top to bottom.
Hex Beehives and honeycombs are hexagonal in shape. This beehive is principally utilized in Asian nations like Pakistan and India. Beekeepers put it on the wall. Hexagonal beehive is used professionally; all beginners and professional beekeepers use it for beekeeping. Insects have many places to hide because of their shape. I am not a professional beekeeper, but I also use it to keep bees because it is easy to use in my area.
Dome Beehive
Dome-shaped (round shape) created with wood dome-shaped regulate temperature. A round shape makes for a healthy colony. Clauss hive domes are the best type of dome hive.
Golden Hive
Golden hive was invented in 1985 in Europe. One room hive with a large deep frame that is easy to remove.This beehive is beneficial for you when you need extra space in the hive. It is heavier than another hive. The frame of this beehive is large because of its large frame insects make their nests. All these types of beehives are best for beekeeping anywhere.
Conclusion
In the event that you begin beekeeping, pick the best bee colony. Read this article showing different Types of Beehives colonies. Choose your favorite. Use these tips to get rid of hives. Read this article showing different types of bee colonies.