Beehives come in various shapes and sizes, but most follow a standard structure. If you’re looking to start your own hive, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the layout of a beehive. Understanding this basic setup is key to effective beekeeping, regardless of the type or brand you choose, as the core components typically remain the same.
Having a solid grasp of hive structure allows you to optimise space, manage pests, and maintain proper temperature control. Knowing how each part functions and fits within the hive ecosystem helps you create the best environment for your bees, ensuring they remain healthy, productive, and adaptable to different conditions.
This guide will walk you through the various components of a National beehive, detailing what each part does and why it is vital for sustaining a thriving bee colony.
The Roof:
This is the top section of the hive that protects it from weather conditions. Made from durable materials like wood or metal, the roof ensures that rain, snow, and direct sunlight does not disturb the hive’s internal environment. It’s important to keep the roof in good condition, as it plays a key role in maintaining the hive's temperature and preventing moisture buildup, which can be harmful to the bees.
Crown Board:
The crown board is positioned just beneath the roof and is made from a thin layer of wood with a couple of holes. This essential component separates the roof from the rest of the hive, helping to control airflow and maintain ventilation within the hive.
In the winter, the holes allow you to feed the bees with sugar syrup when natural food sources are scarce. In the summer, you can cover these holes with ventilation mesh or use them to add extra feeders if necessary.
The crown board often includes bee escapes, which are devices that allow bees to exit the honey super but prevents them from returning. This feature simplifies honey harvesting and reduces stress for the bees, as it helps clear the super without any significant disruption.
Super:
The super is where all the magic happens—this is where bees store their honey. Hives can have one or more supers. We recommend using at least two supers, as this is a common practice that provides enough space for honey storage. Supers are placed above the brood box and contain frames where bees build comb and store honey.
As your colony grows and produces more honey, adding extra supers can prevent overcrowding in the hive, giving the bees more room to work. This setup also makes honey harvesting easier, as it allows beekeepers to remove filled supers without disturbing the brood box below.
Frames:
Frames are the fundamental components of a beehive, providing the structure for bees to create their comb. Each frame fits neatly into the super or brood box and can be easily removed for inspection or honey extraction. The primary purpose of frames is to support the comb, allowing bees to build it in a manageable and organised way.
This setup enables beekeepers to monitor the health of the colony, check for diseases or pests, and assess the progress of honey production without causing significant disruption to the bees. Frames are crucial for hive management, as they provide a straightforward way to manage the hive's internal structure and ensure the bees have a suitable environment to thrive.
Foundation Sheets:
Foundation sheets are thin layers of wax or plastic that fit into the frames, serving as a guide for bees to build their comb. These sheets ensure that the comb is straight and uniform, which is useful for efficient hive management and honey extraction. By providing a strong foundation, these sheets help bees work more efficiently, resulting in better comb structure and easier honey extraction. They also reduce the time bees spend creating comb from scratch, allowing them to focus more on gathering nectar and pollen, which can lead to increased honey production.
Queen Excluder:
The queen excluder is a mesh barrier positioned between the brood box and the supers. It is designed to allow worker bees to pass through while blocking the larger queen bee from accessing the honey supers. Queen excluders, which can be made of plastic or metal, are vital for keeping the queen confined to the brood box, ensuring that the honey in the supers remains free of brood and ready for harvesting.
Brood Box:
The brood box is typically situated at the bottom beneath the supers. It holds the frames that contain both the brood (developing bees) and stores of honey and pollen. This is where the queen lays her eggs and where young bees grow and develop.
Effective management of the brood box is essential for maintaining a healthy and thriving colony. Regular inspections are crucial to check for signs of disease, confirm that the queen is laying eggs, and ensure that there is sufficient space for the colony to expand. The brood box is central to the colony’s lifecycle, offering a safe environment for the bees to raise their young and maintain the hive’s population.
Floor:
The floor of the beehive serves as the base and provides the foundation for the entire structure. It is usually made of wood or a durable plastic material. The floor is designed to protect the hive from moisture, pests, and other potential hazards.
Some hive floors are designed with a mesh that enhances ventilation and aids in pest control by letting debris fall out of the hive. An effective floor maintenance is crucial for the hive's overall health, as it helps prevent the accumulation of debris and pests that could endanger the colony, like Varroa.
Inspection Tray:
An inspection tray is a valuable addition to the hive floor, positioned beneath the mesh floor to catch debris, mites, and other waste from the hive. The inspection tray should be regularly checked, allowing you to monitor the colony's health and spot potential issues early, such as mite infestations or disease outbreaks.
Some hives come with inspection trays included, Like Hiveology’s FSC Cedar Hive, while others offer them as an optional accessory based on different beekeepers specific needs and preferences. Utilising an inspection tray is an effective method for maintaining hive cleanliness and preventing problems that could threaten the well-being of the bees.
Landing Board:
The landing board provides a safe and efficient platform for bees to come and go. Positioned at the hive entrance, this small platform gives bees a place to land and take off as they enter and exit the hive. A well-designed landing board facilitates easier access for bees, especially during busy foraging times. It also helps to prevent dirt and debris from being tracked into the hive, keeping the interior clean.
Entrance Block:
The entrance block is a small piece of wood or plastic that controls the size of the hive’s entrance. By adjusting the entrance size, you can regulate airflow and manage the number of bees entering and exiting the hive. During colder months, you could reduce the entrance size which helps retain heat inside the hive, while a larger opening in warmer months improves ventilation. It also helps protect the hive from intruders, such as mice or other pests, by limiting access to the hive’s interior.
Summary
Each part of the hive plays a specific role in maintaining the health and productivity of the bee colony. Understanding the structure of a National beehive is essential for successful beekeeping. From the protective roof to the essential brood box, every component contributes to the overall function of the hive. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your beekeeping skills, knowing how each part works will help you manage your hive effectively.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your beekeeping journey, shop our collection of beehives at Hiveology. With high-quality materials and thoughtful design, our hives are built to support your bees and your journey as a beekeeper.