Hobbies And Interests
Components
The bottom board is the foundation of a hive. The body, or brood nest, is a wooden shell that stands on the bottom board and forms the first story of the hive. This is where the bees live and where the queen lays her eggs. Wooden frames, brood frames, hang within these bodies. The super is a body above the brood box where bees store honeycombs. Bees create the honeycombs on moveable frames that hang in the super. An outer lid protects the hive from cold and rain and provides insulation.
Cedar
Cedar is the best wood for beehives. It has a natural resistance to decay and insect attack, and can cope with chaotic climates in the northern and southern hemispheres' temperate zones. It is light and stable, but expensive. Cedar wood needs little maintenance or treatment with wood preservatives. It is weatherproof and can be left unpainted. Cedar insulates well and does not harbor condensation.
Pine
American beekeepers prefer western pine wood for hive bodies, supers, covers and frames. Pine is significantly cheaper than cedar and needs to be treated with two coats of linseed oil to protect against the weather. But even with good maintenance, a pine hive is unlikely to last longer than a cedar hive.
Plywood
Plywood is heavy and provides the maximum protection for a hive cover. In colder climates, styrofoam sandwiched between two plywood sheets gives excellent insulation for bees during winter. Plywood is not suitable for internal components of the hive. It splinters easily and does not accept preservatives very well. Care should be taken with the type of paint used for plywood beehives, as toxins from the paint can be incorporated into the honey.