Alternative Beekeeping Methods

Langstroth Hive

• The Langstroth hive remains the most popular beekeeping method in North America. A Langstroth hive is contained in 10 boxes---all open at the bottom and the top---stacked on top of each other. The boxes are built to different depths to hold different parts of the hive. The deeper boxes hold the brood's nest, while the shallower boxes hold the honey and the honey comb. Bees can easily travel among the boxes, but beekeepers must break up the hive to remove the honey and wax.

Top Bar Hive

• A top bar hive is contained in a large, weatherproof box with an open area on the bottom and removable slats hanging from the top, on which bees can build honeycombs as if they were hanging from a branch in a tree. This allows the beekeeper to easily remove each honeycomb without breaking the hive apart and disturbing the bees. They simply lift the slats of the top bar hive and remove the honey.

Benefits

• The top bar hive's noninvasive design is healthier for bees because beekeepers don't have to disturb them to check on honey production. This improves the hive's psychology, which in turn makes them physically healthier and better able to fight off pests and diseases. That, in turn, saves beekeepers time and money.

Easier Honey and Wax Harvest

• With the top bar hive, beekeepers also don't need a honey extractor or centrifuge or capping knife, saving them thousands of dollars. Also, smoking, which is traditionally done to calm bees, is not necessary with this type of beekeeping method. In fact, removing the honey combs is so easy that some brave beekeepers don't even wear protective clothing. Once you have removed the honey comb, the bees will go on about their business, totally undisturbed.

Less Honey Production

• Even though it creates healthier bees and is easier to use, the top bar hive does not facilitate maximal honey production, primarily because it doesn't allow the colonies to grow as big or force the colonies to work as hard. Commercial beekeepers seeking to maximize profits prefer Langstroth hives. The top bar hive is more for a recreational beekeeper who wants to keep one or two hives and make enough homemade honey for family and friends.