Bee hives are one of the most important equipments required in bee keeping and are of many types, the langstroth being one of them.
The recognized bee space in all bee hives is between 8 to 10 mm and this allows bee keepers to place the frames in the hives such that the colonies can easily be managed. It is recommended to use bee hives with removable frames. The boxes/ hives hold between 8 to 12 frames while the width varies. Movable lids are often used because they allow the hives to be staked together and the bottom boards are the the same external size as the box except that the entrance juts out about 25 mm.
Other hive components
Other hive components include the queen excluder which controls movements of the queen, hive fasteners to bind the hive together and these are usually either a strap or strong clip.
Bee hives are usually made of either wood or plastic. Bee components can be bought from a bee association but it is important to adhere to the standard design of hives.
Incase you are buying second hand equipment, ensure that all the components are of standard size.
Assembling hive equipments
To assemble bee hive equipment, you will need a hammer, staples, nails, screwdrivers and screws.
After assembling the components, the wood must be preserved using wood preservative. Bottom boards, lids and the boxes must be painted both on the inside and the outside for protection.
Frames can be plastic or wood but if made of plastic, they must be coated with heated bees wax using a brush or a roller.
