Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Beekeeping Hives

An essential component of beekeeping is the bee
hive. A natural bee hive created by bees can
generally be found in trees. As a beekeeper, you
will probably prefer an artificial hive. The
artificial bee hive is similar to the natural bee
hive as they both have cavities. Due to the
current variety of pesticides on the market, an
artificial hive is an improved alternative for
the bee .

Deciding to Construct or Purchase a Bee Hive

Constructing a bee hive is not a difficult task.
When you make your own, it can be constructed to
your specific needs. There are many different
plans available on the Internet that will give
you step by step instructions on how to make them.

If you are not interested in making your own, you
can buy online or from a local beekeeper. It is
important to purchase the right kind that will
serve your purpose for beekeeping. Generally,
people become beekeepers for the honey and
interest in how bees survive. It is also
imperative that you purchase new equipment to
prevent the spread of disease.

Understanding the Natural Bee Hive

In order to choose which type of artificial bee
hive you will want, it is important to understand
the role of the natural bee hive. Different
types of bees prefer different types of hives.
The genus Apis bees make nests themselves or will
use existing sources, for example:

-Hollow trees
-Rock cavities
-Cave cavities
-Other natural formations

Other bees will live in aerial combs that are
made of honeycombs that are parallel to each
other. These types of nests have only one entry
point and are guarded by the bees. They store
honey in the upper portion of the comb. The
lower cavities of the combs are used to store
pollen.

Different Types of Artificial Bee Hives

- Mud and Clay Bee Hive - This type was more
traditional years ago in Egypt, Italy, the Middle
East, and Greece. They are long, cylindrical
structures made of dung, straw, and unbaked mud.
They are generally stacked on top of each other
to allow shade for the bees that like to live in
the lower parts of the hive. Clay and mud hives
are not as common today.

- Top-Bar Bee Hive - This is an alternative to
the more costly and complicated. It is a simple
concept and very easy to make. The idea behind
this type of hive is that there is no foundation.
A top-bar is used without a bottom or side. The
bees make the combs where they hang from the
top-bar.

- Skep Bee Hive - These are simply baskets made
from straw or coils of dried grass. The concept
is the same as a natural hive in that there is
one entrance at the base and is hollow inside.
The bees make their own honeycomb. Many
beekeepers will use a basket woven on top that is
connected to the main skep, so they can extract
honey without harming the bees or the honeycomb.

- Warre Bee Hive - This type of hive was created
by Abbe Emil Warre. They are made from boxes
lined up vertically. The top bars support the
comb. This type of bee hive is common among
those taking on beekeeping as a hobby.

- Langstroth Bee Hive - This is the most common
hive. It was invented by Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth
in 1860 and still serves its purpose today.
These hives are made out of wood or plastic
crates. They are glued closely together and
filled with wax combs. The combs are arranged
where a narrow passage is created for the bees to
pass through. These hives are interchangeable.
This makes it ideal for beekeepers, as they can
change the size of the hives.

While there are many different types of
beekeeping hives, the Warre and Langstroth bee
hives are the most common today.

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Get free bee hive information - 10 lessons in
total at
http://www.beekeepingstarterguide.com/beekeeping-h
ive.html

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