Which beehives are best?
Knowing which beehives are best for you
will depend on who you are and your reasons for keeping bees...
The two most common types are
the Langstroth Hive and the Top Bar Hive.
The Langstroth Hive
The Langstroth hive is used almost exclusively in commercial bee keeping because the honey yield is higher and they are simple to manage.
In the mid 1800's, a clergyman (Rev. L.L. Langstroth) in Philadelphia introduced the moveable frame hive.
His innovation single-handedly changed what was a cottage industry into what is now big business in America.
Prior to this, bees were killed to harvest honey. Now, the bees can continue to build their colony AND provide us humans with surplus honey.
The Top Bar Hive
The Top Bar Hive (TBH) is increasing in popularity for many hobbyist and sideliner beekeepers due to its simplicity and natural structure.
The TBH (like the Langstroth) enables the beekeeper to harvest honey without killing the bees.
It also facilitates the bee keepers key task of conducting full hive inspections (as in the Langstroth). A full hive inspection requires making visual contact with each individual comb in the hive.
The TBH is actually much older in originality than the Langstroth, dating back to the early Egyptians, when clay pots were covered with pieces of wood (for the bees to suspend their comb from).
Learn about a Super TBH
What is your purpose for keeping bees?
For some, their main interest in keeping bees lies in their desire for...
* Pollination of crops
* An income stream (selling Honey)
* A rewarding hobby
* "Home-grown" and healthy Honey
Learn the pros and cons of each type.
My brother just finished building his own Top Bar Hive this past week.
Almost all of the materials that he used were already in his possession, and took him less than 24 hours to complete.
The Top Bar is cheaper to start and easier to maintain and store the hive components.
My main reason I started with a Top-Bar Hive is that I believe (after much reading) that the Top Bar Hive keeps my honey bees closer to their natural state.
Leading to happier and healthier honey bees.
My Bee Hives
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Do you want to post yours? I would love to see them....it's easy!
Snap (and share) a picture of a unique beehive!
I find great joy in seeing the creativity of others, don't you? Please post a picture of a unique beehive you have encountered. Share the story of how you came across it and any unique features that the photo might not capture fully.
Do you have a great story about this? Share it!
Happy and healthy honey bees
make a happy and healthy beekeeper!
Learn about the Small Hive Beetle.
Build or Buy your own Bee Vac!
Bee Removal Stories
Bee removals are extremely rewarding.
Not only is the beekeeper providing a service to the resident, but he/she is also saving bees and building up their apiary. An added benefit is the genetic diversity gained through the introduction of potential feral colonies.
Here are some of my recent adventures...
Resources
Trial and Tribulations of a hobby beekeeper
Site updated June 2013
Copyright 2009-2013 Keeping-Honey-Bees.com
"The Creator has stamped the seal of his Infinity on all his works,
so that it is impossible, even in the minutest, 'by searching to find out the Almighty to perfection.'
In none of them, however, has he displayed himself more clearly than in the economy of the Honey-Bee"
- L.L. Langstroth - March 1859
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