ispezionando...

Which hive to choose and according to what?

My hive and I
New hive directly from St. Claus with love

Last Christmas – during lockdown 2020 – Santa Claus gave me a wonderful brand new hive. My very first hive! I will take care of it personally and soon it will be full of joyful bees (or at least I will do my best!). Soon we´ll publish updates regarding this hive 🙂

But which is the structure of a hive? And above all according to which criteria you can opt for a kind or the other? If you are interested in finding out more, we suggest you to keep on reading. We will give you also some details regarding the hives that we use.

What is the structure of a hive?

I have seen a hive very close for the very first time only after visiting Sebastian. I must admit that I got enchanted from the very beginning! If you have never had a close encounter with a hive, be aware that its structure is as simple as interesting. In general it can be divided in:

Look at our hive!
Granpa Heinz during a hive inspection
  • (starting from the bottom) a varroa tray. Varroa is a widespread and harmful parasite for our friends bees; 
  • a net for the air circulation, but also against unwelcome guests (such as mice eheh);
  • the entrance, from which bees enter or leave the beehive. This gap size can be regulated according to the season and the number of bees living the hive;
  • the brood box, that is the part of the beehive where the beequeen lays eggs;
  • the honey box, where you can find mainly honey. Dunno if you already knew, but between the brood and honey box there is a special net called Queen excluder, that does not allow the beequeen to enter – since she´s much chubbier than the other bees of the kingdom. “Ah so beekeepers don’t ‘steal’ all the honey from the bees?“. The answer is absolutely NOT, at least not good beekeepers for sure! This for example was something that I did not know before meeting Basti. This means: there is a part of the beehive where the honey is stored and where the beequeen can’t enter (and so it will be without brood). Only this part – the honey box – is used for harvesting honey by the beekeepers. Bear in mind that of course we can find honey everywhere in the hive. Indeed approx. a quarter of the brood box too contains honey and food for the bees. Brood box and honey box contain the honeycombs, whose number and dimensions depend on the kind of hive.
  • At the top – the inner cover and outer cover

How many kind of hives exist?

Good question! Consider that there are various kinds. As a matter of fact, beekeepers from all over the world use different beehives according to their traditions and personal & environmental needs. Nevertheless, let´s start with the two main categories:

  • vertical hives
  • horizontal hives

Vertical hives

Why are they called this way? because the honey box is above the brood box, so it develops upwards.

These hives are for sure the most handy and popular among the professional beekeepers. Are you wondering why? Well, mainly for their modularity. This is a big advantage: the uniformity of honeycombs, boxes,…makes life far easier!

Among the vertical hives, the most famous are:

1) Langstroth Hive

  • Boxes dimension: 46,5*38*24 cm;
  • The honeycombs are parallel to the beehive entrance, and so? Keep calm, I will tell you more later below 🙂
  • The brood and honey box have the same dimensions, so the honeycombs used for one are perfect for the other one as well;
  • Disadvantage: such a honey box, with these dimensions. can become very heavy.

2) Dadant-Blatt Hive (the most used in Italy)

  • It’s very similar to the Langstroth one, but they are higher: 31 cm high instead of 24 cm;
  • Here too the honeycombs are parallel to the beehive entrance;
  • Some can have 10 honeycombs, others 12;
  • its peculiarity is for sure the smaller honey box in comparison to the brood box (indeed this one is 17 cm high!) – What does this implicate? For sure, the fact that is easier to move and carry around;
  • Disadvantage: unfortunately it’s less modular. For example, the frames that are used for the honey box can’t be used for the brood one, and viceversa.

Horizontal hives

I don’t know if you have ever heard about it, but the Top Bar (also known as Kenyan hive) is the most famous hive among the horizontal ones. It’s not so complicated to take care of it and it does not need additional parts, such as honey boxes or wax sheets. Something more about the Top Bar Hive?

  • It is considered as a natural hive, with which the beekeeper does not disturb so much the bees, since it requires less actions than usual;
  • Disadvantage: as far as honey production is concerned, it is not so practical compared to the other hives. In this case, the beekeeper can proceed with squeezing the honeycomb. Of course, this compromises its reuse (in other words, bees will have to build from the beginning everything again). Moreover, there is not a clear separation between brood and honey box – In your opinion, what does this cause? It becomes harder to understand how much honey you can harvest for yourself and how much leave to the bees;
  • Generally they are avoided by nomad and professional beekeepers. However, many people are mesmerized by this hive and decide to use it together with the most traditional ones.

More to be considered when you want to buy a hive?

Another point that you should consider: are you or would you like to become a nomad beekeeper? For example, in this case, you should opt for lighter hives, with 10 honeycombs instead of 12. Generally these hives have in their front part a little porch.

Last point not to forget: have a look around, which are the most popular hives? It´s not a matter of copying anyone, but simply the most used hives will have good and accessible providers or potentially other beekeepers that will be able to hand over their hives or giving you practical tips.


And the Gäblini? Which hives do they use?

Regarding our hives, I don’t know if you noticed from the pics, but…they are squared! This is the most used hive here in the surrounding. If you are wondering about the dimensions, here they are: length 44,50 cm, width 44,50 cm and heigth 32 cm.

The coolest fact is that since they are squared, you can put the honeycombs either perpendicular or paralel to the hive entrance! Why could this be so important? What does this mean?

I have asked Basti to tell me more about because I wanted to better understand – in short:

Hive frames positioning and air circulaiton effect
What happens when the frames are parallel to the entrance?
  • Honeycombs parallel to the hive entrance: this means that there is a more direct and quicker air exchange. Hence, the internal temperature is less high. So, it’s perfect for summer! Indeed, always remember, ok summer, sun, warmth,… they are wonderful but if it’s too hot this is good neither for the bees nor for the honey. Placing the frames in this way is far better to decrease the hive internal temperature.
  • Honeycombs perpendicular to the hive entrance: this means that the air circulates all around the honeycombs, therefore, there’s still a good air recirculation but less strong and direct. This helps much in keeping warmer the internal temperature in winter.
Hive frames positioning and air circulaiton effect
What happens when they are perpendicular to the entrance?

Keeping on with a look at our hives, what else we could tell? They have 11 honeycombs, slightly smaller than the usual ones mentioned above. Basti thinks these beehives are not too much heavy (I’ve just asked him if he thinks it would be feasible for me to carry them around and he answered with a prompt NO 😀 but please consider that I’m a dud!)

Other positive point regarding the beehives we use is that since the’re less big, it’s easier for bees to keep the internal temperature.

Basti admits that he knows well only the kind of hive we use, because basically they have always used only this one. Hence, he can’t compare much. Nevertheless, he likes the hives we use. He believes they’re very handy. In any case, in the future we would like to try out a Top Bar hive, we’re getting more and more curious about it!

Which is the hive that appeals the most to you? Which hives you see more often in your surroundings? We would like to know more about your experience 🙂 leave a comment here below and if you enjoyed the post, don’t forget to share it on the social networks!

A hug,

The Gäblini

6,268 thoughts on “Which hive to choose and according to what?”

  1. free blogNice post. I understand some thing much harder on diverse blogs everyday. Most commonly it is stimulating to study content using their company writers and rehearse a little something from their store. I’d would prefer to apply certain with all the content in this little blog regardless of whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide link on your web blog. Many thanks sharing.

  2. 比特派钱包(Bitpie)是一款全球领先的多链数字钱包,专为支持多种区块链资产而设计,如比特币(BTC)、以太坊(ETH)、波场(TRX)、泰达币(USDT)等主流加密货币。通过使用比特派,用户不仅能够轻松便捷地管理和转移数字资产,还可以享受去中心化应用(DApp)等多种区块链服务

  3. https://www.bitpief.comNice post. I understand some thing much harder on diverse blogs everyday. Most commonly it is stimulating to study content using their company writers and rehearse a little something from their store. I’d would prefer to apply certain with all the content in this little blog regardless of whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide link on your web blog. Many thanks sharing.

  4. WW88 là thương hiệu uy tín với bề dày lịch sử phát triển và vị thế vững chắc trong lĩnh vực game đổi thưởng. Với nhiều năm hoạt động, nhà cái đã khẳng định mình là điểm đến giải trí hàng đầu, thu hút hàng triệu hội viên. Tại đây, chắc chắn bạn sẽ được hòa mình vào thế giới của những trò chơi cá cược đỉnh cao https://ww88.moda/

  5. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure
    whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
    You are amazing! Thanks!

    Feel free to surf to my web-site – memek

  6. Go88 la cong game doi thuong truc tuyen so 1 Viet Nam hien nay voi hon 2 trieu nguoi choi moi ngay tai trang chu Go88 COM. Voi giao dien dep mat, Go88 cung cap kho game phong phu tu ca cuoc the thao, no hu, xoc dia, tai xiu, bau cua, ban ca, xo so, lo de, den cac game bai dac sac nhu xi dach, ba cay, phom, mau binh, tien len

  7. Go88 la cong game doi thuong truc tuyen so 1 Viet Nam hien nay voi hon 2 Go88 la cong game doi thuong truc tuyen so 1 Viet Nam hien nay voi hon 2 trieu nguoi choi moi ngay tai trang chu Go88 COM. Voi giao dien dep mat, Go88 cung cap kho game phong phu tu ca cuoc the thao, no hu, xoc dia, tai xiu, bau cua, ban ca, xo so, lo de, den cac game bai dac sac nhu xi dach, ba cay, phom, mau binh, tien len

  8. Sunwin nhà cái trực tuyến hàng đầu Việt Nam. Các sản phẩm tại Sunwin chủ yếu phục vụ tệp khách hàng yêu thích game online. Có thể nói, Sunwin là cổng game đổi thưởng số 1 hiện tại. Sunwin đã, đang và sẽ là lựa chọn hàng đầu cho những anh em đam mê thể loại game bài đổi thưởng https://penumbra-overture.com/

  9. If you consider that certain of your rights as a consumer are threatened or violated, you can make a complaint alert using the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform (ODR) ec.europa.eu odr – a single access portal that allows EU consumers and traders to settle their disputes related to cross-border and local online purchases. Steinberg has daily fantasy sports to thank for his berth into the main event contest and his return to poker playing. The man who eschews the usual hoodie, sunglasses fashion combo that’s a familiar site in the poker world for tailored suits instead, won a DraftKings contest that awarded entries into poker’s premier event in July. Steinberg’s background includes growing up in a transcendental meditation community in Iowa. He doesn’t meditate as much as he used to, once or twice a week, but he has been living a healthier lifestyle ahead of the tournament’s return.
    https://www.kgsepticsewer.com/forum/welcome-to-the-forum/free-10-no-deposit-casino
    You can be sure that you will find every Casumo Casino offer, including those that require Casumo Casino bonus codes, at CasinosCodes. Not all offers require a code to be activated. Still, using a Casumo Casino promo code is great fun and can bring you amazing boosters for the top-rated games on the site.  It is Canadian welcome bonus offer in spring 2019. Casumo casino: 20 free spins with no deposit free spins always please our demanding eye, so this came as a very pleasant surprise. After registering an account with Casumo Casino, all new players gain automatic entrance to the site’s exclusive rewards VIP programme. This scheme works in the standard way where the site rewards players with points for every deposit and wager they place. Virtually all games qualify for Casumo reward points, including slots, table games and live casino games. 

  10. 12bet nam trong danh sach dia chi ca cuoc truc tuyen uy tin hang dau hien nay. He thong chinh thuc ra mat thi truong ca cuoc sau khi da co dinh huong ro rang ve chien thuat phat trien. Sau nhieu nam hoat dong, thuong hieu ke tren hien phat trien he thong ve tinh rong khap Chau A.
    website: http://12betsg.asia/

  11. vibration analysis
    The Cruciality of Oscillation Mitigation Systems in Industrial Equipment
    In industrial sites, machinery as well as rotating equipment are the backbone of operations. Nonetheless, an of the highly widespread issues that could hinder the operation and lifespan exists as vibration. Oscillation can lead to a array of problems, from reduced accuracy and productivity to heightened deterioration, ultimately causing high-cost delays along with repairs. Such a situation is when vibration regulation tools becomes vital.

    Why Oscillation Control remains Critical

    Resonance inside machines can cause various harmful outcomes:

    Minimized Production Effectiveness: Excessive resonance might lead to imbalances along with imbalance, reducing overall effectiveness of the machinery. Such can result in slower production times along with greater power consumption.

    Greater Erosion: Constant vibration hastens the deterioration of machinery parts, resulting in increased servicing as well as a possibility of unexpected failures. Such a scenario does not just raises maintenance expenses as well as limits the lifespan of the existing machinery.

    Safety Hazards: Excessive vibration can present major safety concerns to both the machines and the personnel. In extreme situations, severe cases, it could cause cataclysmic system collapse, endangering employees along with bringing about significant harm across the site.

    Exactness along with Manufacturing Quality Issues: In industries that require high accuracy, including production or aviation, oscillations may lead to inaccuracies with the production process, resulting in defects and increased waste.

    Cost-effective Options for Oscillation Control

    Investing in oscillation control equipment proves not only a necessity and also a sound investment for any industry that uses equipment. Our state-of-the-art vibration management systems are engineered to eliminate vibrations from any mechanical systems and rotating equipment, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning.

    One thing that sets such equipment from others remains its reasonable pricing. We know the value of cost-effectiveness in today’s competitive market, which is why we offer top-tier vibration control solutions at costs that won’t break the bank.

    Through selecting our systems, you’re not only protecting your equipment and increasing its productivity you’re also putting resources in the long-term success of your operations.

    In Conclusion

    Oscillation control proves to be a vital factor of maintaining the effectiveness, protection, as well as lifespan of your equipment. Through these reasonably priced resonance mitigation apparatus, you can ensure that your production function efficiently, your products remain top-tier, along with your employees are protected. Do not permit resonance compromise your machinery—put money in the proper tools today.

  12. Registrace vam otevre pristup k rade skvelych her a vyhod. Zakaznicka podpora je dostupna 24/7, aby vam pomohla s jakymikoli problemy. Portal poskytuje stedre bonusy a promoakce. Na teto strance najdete skvele kurzy pro vsechny hlavni sporty. [url=https://mallina.cz/etc/inc/melbet_casino_81.html ]Melbet Casino[/url] Muzete sledovat zive prenosy a zaroven sazet na vysledky. Sazeni v realnem case je jednou z hlavnich vyhod teto platformy. Muzete se tesit na vysoke vyhry a sirokou nabidku her. Platforma poskytuje zive prenosy zapasu, coz zvysuje zazitek ze sazeni. Tento web nabizi take virtualni sporty a e-sporty. Tato platforma umoznuje sazeni na ruzne sportovni udalosti. Tento online portal nabizi hry od prednich svetovych poskytovatelu.

  13. You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Truck Accident Compensation Claim’s Tricks truck accident attorneys (Ray)

  14. Double Glazing Windows Birmingham Tools To Make Your Daily LifeThe One Double Glazing Windows Birmingham Trick That Should Be Used By Everyone Be Able
    To double glazing windows birmingham [Jannie]

  15. Guide To Psychiatrist Therapist Near Me: The Intermediate Guide
    The Steps To Psychiatrist Therapist Near Me psychiatrist therapist near me – Soila,

  16. Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However
    I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know why I cannot subscribe to it.
    Is there anyone else having the same RSS problems?
    Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  17. Your lawyer will look into your employment history to determine if you were
    exposed to asbestos case (Max).

    This will help them track down companies that made asbestos-containing products that caused your condition.

  18. Mesothelioma can affect the lining of the lungs (pleura), tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma) and heart.

    Symptoms typically develop as time passes. If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, they may
    order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

    Here is my web blog: Asbestos Case