-Know all the parts and components
Knowledge is power. So if you're starting out in beekeeping you're about to get a lot more powerful. In this post you'll learn all the parts of the beehive, why they're important, and how to use them more effectively.
I (and a huge number of other honeybee keepers) use the Langstroth hive model. Let's start from the bottom up!
BOTTOM BOARD
This serves as the foundation of your hive body. With your deep super placed on top, your bees can slip in and out through the space between the two. This is the easy go-to.
Your bottom board should not be directly on the ground as it is more susceptible to predators and standing water.
SCREENED BOTTOM BOARD
This is a variation of the bottom board that has a screen. This is helpful for monitoring and controlling pests. As hive beetles and mites fall, they fall onto your sticky screen insert. This way you can tell if you've got an infestation or not.
These are also a little more airy, so might not be a good choice for overwintering in cold climates.
ENTRANCE REDUCER
These little guys are important. They help control the dynamics of the hive. When you have a smaller entrance, that means less bees wasting time guarding the entrance and more busy bees hunting and gathering. When you've got a young hive starting out, one of these bad boys is a good idea.
There are generally 2 different sizes available on each reducer: one large and one small. If you're handy and picky you could make a specific size but these will do the trick.
DEEP SUPER (AKA Brood box)
The deep super is a huge part of your hive. You will need one at the very least. I'd recommend multiple. However, when starting your hive you should start with one deep super until your hive is more established, then add more as your colony gets stronger, needs the room, and can protect it adequately.
Deep supers are also known as brood boxes because at the lower levels they're used as home base for the queen. This is where she lays the eggs and the brood is raised.
FRAMES
Frames hold the foundation, which is what the bees will build out the comb on to hold their brood and honey. The foundation works best when coated with beeswax. 10 frames fit in a deep super. 5 frames fit in a Nuc.
It's amazing how geometric and exact they build it out!
QUEEN EXCLUDER
The queen excluder is a metal (recommended) or plastic insert that is placed between boxes when you don't want the queen to go up any higher. For this reason the queen excluder is placed just underneath the box(es) you're going to be extracting honey from.
The queen excluder has openings big enough for the worker bees to get through, but small enough that the queen can't get up and lay eggs in your honey.
MEDIUM SUPER
Medium supers are exactly the same as deep supers, except in height. They are about 3 inches shorter than a deep super. These are often called "Honey Supers" because many beekeepers use them as the boxes they collect honey in. There are also Shallow supers which are about an inch smaller. I don't use these but they're another great option if that's what you're into! The shallows would be lighter, but hold less honey. Also, keep in mind you'll need the medium size frames for a medium super. They'll also hold 10 frames.
The fun thing about the Langstroth hive model is that you can use whatever size super you want! And you can build it up as your bees grow into it.
INNER COVER
The inner cover is a simple board that some say helps with ventilation of the hive. It is a topic of debate as to whether this piece is really needed. But if you have a telescoping outer cover, this inner cover will save you a lot of time that would be spent prying that cover off.
They're also helpful when harvesting honey, as a bee escape can be put in the ventilation hole to let bees out of your honey super, but not back in.
MIGRATORY OUTER COVER
The outer cover is the crown to the glory of your beehive. It's a solid board that doesn't let anything out or in. Some beekeepers actually do just that- they place a board on top of their hive as the outer cover. The migratory cover can have extensions on both sides that lock onto 2 sides to help it stay intact.
Many people choose to place something heavy on top to be sure it doesn't blow off in excessive winds.
TELESCOPING OUTER COVER
The telescoping outer cover is a more heavy duty and permanent solution to capping off the top of your hive. This one has extensions on all 4 sides that help it sit intact and insulate the hive more efficiently.
I recommend this, among other things, for over-wintering your bees. I usually prefer them all season anyway.
Now you know the basic beehive components! I recommend starting with 1 deep super, and adding on to your heart's desire as your hive grows.
Contact me with any additional questions you have! I'd love to answer them. Also, don't forget to subscribe to keep updated with the latest beekeeping tips and tricks!
May your bees and blessings be bountiful!
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