Top Bar Hive Roof Plans

The bees will build their comb onto this foundation which will hang down into the body of the hive.

Top bar hive roof plans.

Your top bar hive needs some type of roof to go over the flat lid of the hive. A top bar. Whether it is a cathedral hive or a regular top bar hive proper ventilation from a roof is needed. It features individual bars laid across the top of the hive cavity.

Warre hives are the middle ground between langstroth and top bar. Top bar hives allow beekeeping methods that interfere much less with the bee colony allowing it to be more natural. Mar 22 2015 beehive design plans special projects uncategorized woodworking here s a how to video on building a new top bar beehive using thermally treated poplar. In the design described here.

Top bar hives are perfect for small scale beekeeping or hobbyist who doesn t want to lift more than 40lbs. Many beekeepers will use top bars that have a small comb guide hanging down. 38 langstroth top bar and warre hive plans 1. Generally the bars are a wooden wedge or strip with a guide to ensure combs hang straight.

The number of top bars the hive will accommodate varies with the width of the box but as a reference a 42 box will use 28 top bars. With a top bar hive the combs can become very soft and fragile if the hive is overheating. You can also print the complete design plans and parts list which is posted below to build your own hive. It is often recommended that the hive body has sloping sides reflecting the shape of naturally made comb so that the bees are less likely to attach comb to the sides of the hive.

Top bar hives are always rectangular in shape and are typically more than twice as wide as many story framed hives. The bees build their comb down from these bars naturally without the use of a 4 sided frame or foundation. Using wood glue or melted beeswax for a nontoxic option fasten the foundation into the grooves. The top bar hive is the oldest and most commonly used hive style in the world.

A top bar beehive is a single story frameless beehive where the comb hangs from removable wooden bars. A top bar hive comprises a hive body top bars and roof. Place a strip of bee foundation inside each of the top bar grooves.