Traditional standard Langstroth beehive consists of the following components:
- Bottom board: Provides support and protection for the bottom of the hive, as well as a entrance and exit passage for bees
- Frames: Supports the honeycomb frames, allowing them to hang within the hive for bees to build comb and store honey.
- Hive bodies (also known as supers or brood boxes): Where the frames are placed, typically in multiple layers to provide bees with ample space to build comb.
- Hive cover: Covers the top of the hive, protecting it from weather and external elements.
- Inner covers and top covers serve different purposes in a beehive:Inner cover: The inner cover is placed directly on top of the uppermost box in the hive, beneath the top cover. It provides insulation and ventilation for the hive, helping to regulate temperature and humidity levels inside. Additionally, the inner cover often includes an entrance hole or notch that allows bees to enter and exit the hive.
- Top cover: The top cover is the outermost layer of the hive, providing protection from the elements such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. It helps to keep the hive dry and maintains a stable internal environment. The top cover also serves as a barrier against predators and pests.Together, the inner cover and top cover work to provide a comfortable and secure environment for the bees, while also allowing for proper ventilation and protection from external threats.
- Another component is the queen excluder, which is a device placed between the hive bodies and the honey supers to prevent the queen bee from laying eggs in the honey storage area. This ensures that the honey harvested from the supers remains free of brood, maintaining its quality for human consumption.
There are two types of boxes, brood boxes and supers, each serving specific purposes:
- Brood boxes: Used for hatching and nurturing bee larvae. These boxes are typically placed at the bottom of the hive, providing ample space for bees to build comb and rear bee larvae. Brood boxes are usually used as the primary living area for the colony.
- Supers boxes: Used for storing honey. These boxes are usually placed on top of the hive, providing additional space for bees to build comb and store honey. Supers are typically used for honey collection without disrupting the bees' brood rearing activities.By separating brood boxes and supers, beekeepers can more easily manage the different needs of the colony. This separation also ensures that bees are not disturbed in their brood rearing and honey storing activities.
Happy spring to beekeepers! Wishing you a thriving beekeeping season, with your bees buzzing happily in the warm weather. 🐝🌸🍯