Hive for Bees
This hive is available for purchase - see here
This is my latest design which encompasses 10 years of learning and experimentation. This long hive demonstrates ultimate flexibility to meet the needs of the bees as well as the beekeeper, hence the name.
Made from best quality Baltic Birch faced plywood the hive is strong and affordable but perfectly able to cope with weather conditions once treated on the outside. The flat pack design slots together in easy steps so can be both shipped and constructed by anybody, including the ‘non DIY-er’! It is built with adjustable legs which makes it an ideal height for inspections to suit the height of the beekeepers, including those in wheelchairs. If people have limited lifting abilities the roof opens with soft close piston support and the bee pheromone and heat is kept within the hive due to optional top bar design.
The critical unique feature is the adaptability of this hive. It is a long hive enabling horizontal growth with a moveable divider board. You can use conventional deep brood frames or standard National frames and put the floor where you want it. A feeder or National / WBC super can fit nicely on top so you don’t have to worry about your hive equipment adapting to it. A significant optional feature is a floor sump to encourage a bio-symbiotic ecosystem with other bugs supporting the bees’ cleanliness. Finally the slotting together peg system allows insulation to be added to the outsides to maintain temperature, which is proven to be beneficial for colony survival and varroa management. This hive supports the latest evidence in Integrated Pest Management whilst allowing the bees to build their own comb and be less disturbed by health checks on them.
Item specifics:
- Floating floor comes with 6 pegs and pre drilled marker holes to give correct bee space under the frame.
- Insulation compatible to help keep warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Designed for easy to use for beginners, one box does all.
- Fits Bill Summers’s Zest Frames.
- Takes 24 x 38 mm wide top bar frame converters.
- Take national frames
- Can use standard frames and not use top bars if preferred
- Top bar converters mean that bees are kept below the working area when opening the hive and maintain bee smell
- Accepts two super’s from National or WBC and poly hives.
- Also takes poly hive Feeders
- Top bar set provided
- Shipped without hole for bee entrance to enable you to chose your own site
- Insulation not included
About the hive
Assembly instructions
