Top bar bee hives are a very old system used by beekeepers for centuries. They were once used in Greece in the form of a pot or basket with sticks laid across the top. There are no elaborate frames involved, and the top bar system is less labor intensive than the better-known box system where boxes are stacked one on top of another. The only frames, per se, in a top bar hive, are the bars themselves that rest on the top edge of the hive. Adding additional bar frames is a straight-forward process.
Instructions
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1
Measure the width of the top bar hive. Cut 1 1/4-inch bars to the width of the hive so that they rest on the edges of the hive.
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2
To replace a bar, lift the bar straight out. If it has a honeycomb and the comb is attached to the side of hive, cut the comb loose carefully. The bees will rebuild.
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3
Add as many top bar frames as your hive will accommodate.
