When I first started researching beekeeping, I wondered what my options were to keep bees in my backyard. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.
Do I want to go with a traditional hive, a tried-and-true option like the Langstroth Hive or Should I lean more to the natural approach with a Top Bar Hive? Or maybe the Warre Hive is more my style? With its simple design and vertical structure.
If you are thinking about starting a beehive in your backyard but don’t know which type of hive to choose from, hopefully this Guide will assist you through the multiple types of hives and the importance of choosing the right one for your backyard.
Now choosing the right hive is important to the overall health and success of a bee colony. Different hives have different designs and features that can affect factors such as temperature regulation, ventilation, and the ability of the bees to access food and water.
The size and shape of the hive can impact the amount of space available for the bees to build comb and store honey. A poorly designed or ill-suited hive can lead to issues such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and even disease.
So Carefully considering the needs of the bee colony and choosing the right hive will help support the hive’s health and well-being.
How Many Hive Options Do You Have
There are a variety of types of hives used for beekeeping around the world. However, the most commonly used hive is the Langstroth Hive. This hive is well-suited for many different climates and has become the standard for beekeeping in many regions. Before the invention of the Langstroth Hive, bees were kept in skeps, which are still used in some parts of the world today. In Great Britain, the National or Modified National Hive is favored by beekeepers. The Top Bar Hive, which originates from Africa, has also gained popularity outside of its native region.
In addition to the Langstroth, National, and Top Bar hives, there are other types of hives such as the Smith Hive, Commercial Hive, Dadant Hive, WBC Hive, Warre Hive, Long Hives, and others. Some of these hives, such as the Warre Hive, are designed for use in backyard beekeeping.
In other parts of the world, primitive hives made from materials such as logs, mud pots and pipes, corn stalks, reeds, and scraps of wood are still used. These hives do not have frames, so honey is obtained through a destructive harvest method, where the combs are removed and crushed to extract the honey. However, as beekeeping education becomes more widespread, more and more beekeepers are transitioning away from primitive hives to those with movable frames. In this guide, we will primarily focus on the Langstroth Hive, National Hive, Top Bar Hive, and Warre Hive as they are well-suited for backyard beekeeping.
What is a Langstroth Hive?
The Langstroth Hive is a type of beehive that is widely considered to be the most popular beehive design in use around the world. It is named after its inventor, Lorenzo Langstroth, who developed the design in the mid-19th century. The Langstroth Hive is characterized by its movable frames, which allow beekeepers to easily inspect the hives and manage the bees without damaging the comb or disrupting the colony.
The design is known for its versatility and efficiency, and it serves very well in many climates and regions. The Langstroth Hive has become the standard for beekeeping in many parts of the world and is a popular choice for hobbyist beekeepers and commercial beekeepers alike.
Is the National Hive the same as the Langstroth Hive?
These are two different types of beehives that are widely used for keeping bees. The main difference between the two is the size and shape of the boxes that make up the hive body.
The Langstroth Hive has rectangular boxes that are stacked on top of each other, while the National Hive has a more rounded shape. The Langstroth Hive typically has more frames per box, which allows for more efficient use of space. The National Hive, on the other hand, is designed to be more compact, making it easier to handle and transport.
Both hives have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which one to use often comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the beekeeper.
The Langstroth hive’s advantages:
- Standardization: The standardized dimensions of the Langstroth hive make it easy to replace parts and components, as well as ensuring compatibility with other beekeeping equipment.
- Movable frames: The movable frames in the Langstroth hive allow for easier inspection and management of the colony, as well as making it easier to harvest honey.
- Honey storage: The Langstroth hive provides ample storage space for honey, which helps to reduce the risk of honey shortage and swarm behavior.
- Climate adaptability: The Langstroth hive is well-suited for a wide range of climates, making it a popular choice for beekeepers all over the world.
- Ease of use: The Langstroth hive is designed for ease of use, with features like an inner cover and a telescoping outer cover that protect the colony and make it easier to maintain.
The National Hive, also known as the Modified National Hive, advantages:
- Ease of use: The National Hive is designed to be simple and easy to use, with a straight-forward structure that makes it easy to inspect and manage the bees.
- Winter insulation: The National Hive is well-insulated, which helps to keep the bees warm in winter, even in colder climates.
- Brood control: The National Hive has a built-in system for controlling the size of the brood, which helps to keep the colony healthy and productive.
- Efficient honey production: The National Hive is designed to maximize honey production, with a spacious interior that allows the bees to store large amounts of honey.
- Adaptability: The National Hive can be adapted to suit the needs of the beekeeper, with the option to add or remove boxes as needed, making it a versatile choice for a variety of beekeeping situations.
The disadvantages of each Hive
The Langstroth hive has a few cons, including its size and weight, which can make it difficult to move. The frames and boxes can be expensive to purchase and replace, additionally the frames can become brittle and break easily.
The Langstroth hive can also be more prone to pests and diseases, as it provides a lot of surface area for pests to hide in.
The National Hive has some cons as well, including its limited space for the bees, which can lead to overcrowding and swarming. The National Hive is also more difficult to inspect, as it does not have the same level of visibility as the Langstroth hive. Plus, the National Hive may require more frequent honey harvests, as the combs are not as easily accessible as they are in the Langstroth hive.
What is a Top Bar Hive?
A Top Bar Hive is a type of beehive that consists of a long rectangular box with horizontal bars placed across the top. The bees build their comb hanging downward from these bars. Unlike the Langstroth and National hives, which have frames that can be removed and inspected, the comb in a Top Bar Hive is not easily removable.
The design of the Top Bar Hive is simple and often less expensive to construct than other types of hives, and it is also well-suited for use in regions where resources are limited. However, it is also less efficient in terms of honey production and can be more difficult to manage because the comb is not easily accessible for inspection and manipulation.
The origin of the Top bar hive is not well documented, but it is believed to have been used for beekeeping for thousands of years in Africa and other parts of the world. The Top bar hive is a simple, low-cost, and natural way of keeping bees, and it has been used by traditional beekeepers in many countries.
The design of the top bar hive allows the beekeeper to observe the colony from the outside, and it can be made from readily available materials, such as logs, bamboo, or clay. The top bar hive has gained popularity in recent years as a more sustainable and natural alternative to modern hives, and it is now used by many hobbyist and small-scale beekeepers around the world.
The following are some of the pros of using the top bar hive:
- Simplicity: The top bar hive is simple in design and construction, making it an affordable option for those who are new to beekeeping.
- Natural Beekeeping: The top bar hive provides a more natural living environment for the bees, as it allows them to build their comb in a more natural, hanging shape.
- Ease of Harvesting: Harvesting honey from a top bar hive is easier than from other hives, as the honey is stored in individual comb sections that can be removed without destroying the entire comb.
- Reduced Cost: The cost of building and maintaining a top bar hive is generally lower compared to other types of hives, making it a good option for those who are on a tight budget.
- Portability: The top bar hive is lightweight and can be easily moved, making it a good choice for those who need to relocate their bees.
Disadvantages of using a Top bar Hive include:
- Honey extraction is more difficult and time-consuming than with other types of hives, as the entire comb must be removed and crushed to extract the honey.
- The comb is not standardized and can vary in size and shape, making it more difficult to monitor the health of the colony and to manage the bees.
- The lack of frames in a Top bar Hive can result in weaker comb and a higher risk of comb collapse.
- The Top bar Hive has a smaller capacity than other types of hives, making it less suitable for commercial beekeepers.
The design of the Top bar Hive can make it more difficult to monitor and control the temperature and humidity inside the hive, which can impact the health of the colony.
Factors to Consider choosing a Top Bar Hive
- Climate: Top bar hives are best suited for warm climates with low humidity levels, as high humidity can cause issues with wax comb melting and condensation.
- Hive Management: Top bar hives require more frequent inspection compared to other types of hives, as the comb is not contained in frames.
- Honey Harvest: Harvesting honey from top bar hives is more labor-intensive and requires the removal of individual comb sections.
- Space: Top bar hives require more space compared to other hives, as they are longer and wider.
A Top bar hive can be more enjoyable for beekeepers who prefer a more hands-on approach to beekeeping. The design of the top bar hive allows for easy access to the comb and a more intimate relationship with the bees, which can be a rewarding experience for beekeepers. And, the design of top bar hives allows for the use of more natural comb building techniques, which can be appealing to some hobbyist beekeepers.
What is a Warre Hive?
In the Early 20th century, a beekeeper named Abbé Émile Warré was dissatisfied with the traditional hives of his time and created a more natural and sustainable way of keeping bees. He based his design on the observation of wild bee colonies and their nest structures.
Abbé’s hive is designed to mimic the natural nest of wild bees. It is characterized by its simple design and minimal interference with the bees, allowing them to build their own comb and control the temperature and ventilation of their hive.
The Warre Hive, also known as the People’s Hive, is favored by beekeepers who are looking for a more natural and sustainable way of keeping bees, and who prefer to have a hands-off approach to beekeeping.
This type of Hive is box-like structure made up of multiple stacked boxes, with each box containing horizontal top bars instead of frames. The top bars serve as the foundation for the bees to build comb, and the boxes can be added or removed as needed to accommodate the growth of the colony. The Warre Hive also features a quilt box at the top, which provides insulation and helps regulate the temperature and humidity inside the hive. Unlike other hives, the Warre Hive does not require the beekeeper to inspect the comb, as the design allows for natural, hands-off beekeeping.
The advantages of using a Warre Hive include:
- Natural Beekeeping: The Warre Hive is designed to allow bees to build their own comb without the need for artificial frames, which is more natural and less intrusive for the bees.
- Less Intervention: The Warre Hive requires less intervention from the beekeeper compared to other types of hives, which can help to reduce the stress on the bees and improve their health.
- Reduced Swarming: The Warre Hive’s design helps to reduce the likelihood of swarming, which is when a portion of the colony splits and forms a new colony.
- Honey Harvesting: The Warre Hive allows for a more sustainable and ethical method of honey harvesting, as the beekeeper can simply remove the honey from the top of the comb, leaving the rest for the bees.
- Durable and Easy to Build: The Warre Hive is made of simple and inexpensive materials, making it easy and cost-effective to build. It is also durable and can last for many years with proper maintenance.
The disadvantages of a Warre hive include:
- Cost: Warre hives can be more expensive than other types of hives, especially if purchasing a ready-made one.
- Difficulty in management: The Warre hive has a different management style, which can be difficult for some beekeepers to get used to.
- Lack of standardization: There is no standardization for Warre hives, which means that different models can vary in size, shape, and construction.
- Limited access: Unlike other hives, Warre hives do not have a bottom board, making it difficult to inspect the colony and access the honey.
- Harvesting: Harvesting honey from Warre hives can be a bit more challenging and time-consuming compared to other types of hives.
- Unfamiliarity: Many beekeepers are not familiar with Warre hives, making it difficult for them to find information and support.
Should you start with a Warre Hive?
The Warre hive is not typically recommended for beginners as it has a different design and management style compared to more conventional hives like the Langstroth. The Warre hive requires a more hands-off approach and a different understanding of bee behavior.
Before starting a Warre hive, beginners should educate themselves on the principles and techniques of Warre beekeeping, including understanding the natural behavior of bees, handling comb carefully, and avoiding the use of chemicals.
Beginner Beekeepers should also be prepared for the more physical labor involved in managing a Warre hive, such as lifting heavy boxes and harvesting honey from the bottom of the stack. It is important for beginners to understand that the Warre hive may require more patience, as the bees can take longer to establish and build up their colony compared to other hives.
However, A beekeeper may enjoy using a Warre Hive for its simplicity, low maintenance, and the ability to keep bees in a more natural state, as the Warre Hive design mimics the cavity in which wild bees would naturally build their nests.
Plus, the Warre Hive is designed to be easy to work with, and the vertical stacking of boxes allows for natural honey harvesting, as the bees will move up into the upper boxes as they fill the lower ones with honey. The Warre Hive can provide a unique and enjoyable beekeeping experience for those who are looking for a more natural and hands-off approach to beekeeping.
But beware that this level of beekeeping is a bit more advance and a beekeeper beginning their beekeeping journey must take in consideration the difficulty this type of hive might present.
What Hive Should You Choose?
As a beginner beekeeper, choosing the right hive is crucial to the success of your colony and the happiness of your bees. The climate and location of your hive can greatly impact the type of hive you should choose. For example, if you live in a humid area, you may want to consider a hive with better ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. On the other hand, if you live in a colder climate, you may want to choose a hive that provides better insulation for your bees.
When it comes to the size of your backyard, it’s important to consider the expansion requirements of your hive. A Langstroth hive, for example, can easily be expanded as your colony grows, but it may take up more space than a smaller top bar hive. On the other hand, a Warre hive is known for its compact design, making it a great option for backyard beekeepers with limited space.
Your beekeeping goals and experience level should also be taken into consideration when choosing the right hive. If you’re a beginner, you may want to start with a Langstroth or National hive, as they are well-known for their ease of use and beginner-friendly features. If you’re looking for a more natural and hands-off approach, a Warre hive may be the perfect fit.
No matter which type of hive you choose, remember to have fun and enjoy the journey. Beekeeping is a wonderful hobby that offers a sweet reward, both in the form of honey and the satisfaction of helping to support the honeybee population. And if you need more information or guidance, be sure to check out other articles, videos, and social media content. And don’t forget to leave a comment and request for other articles and information a new beekeeper might be looking for!
So, put on your bee suit and get ready to buzz into the world of beekeeping! And remember, when it comes to choosing the right hive, just bee yourself and let your instincts guide you. You’ll be honey-ing the bees and yourself in no time!