Beekeeping – All About Top Bar Hives
Although it dates back to the 1600s, the top-bar beehive has evolved into its present form only since the 1960s. It has a simple design and it employs economic systems. Perfect in Kenya, it has now become very popular in the United States. Unlike the Langstroth hive, the top-bar hive is very simple to use for harvesting honey and managing bees.
Simple design and maintenance-free
Consisting of only the hive body, about 20 to 30 top bars (frames) and a lid, the top-bar hive has a simpler design than the Langstroth hive. Costly frames are not required as bees make their own comb, and after harvesting, the top bars can be used again.
Non-invasive design
The design makes it easy to check the bees without dismantling the hive. Since the bees will not be disturbed, it makes it healthier for them and for the beekeeper.
Ease of harvesting
All that has to be done to harvest the honey is to remove the bars with honeycomb. Because the bees make their own honeycomb, the top bar hive also produces more beeswax to harvest. Furthermore, a considerable amount of money is saved since there is no need for a honey extractor/centrifuge or uncapping knife. Only beginners will need protective clothing.
Better health for bees
Living conditions for bees in a top bar hive are healthy. As such, the colony becomes stronger and can resist pests and diseases more effectively than in a Langstroth hive. There will be less expense for medications and less of a chance that the hive will die out during the winter.
Disadvantages of a top bar hive
The design of the top bar hive does not bring about maximum honey production, although in some cases high production has been reported. More than likely, a hobby beekeeper would prefer the ease of operation and healthy bees more than a few extra pounds of honey.
More about top bar hives
A top bar hive is a movable comb hive and is legal to use since all the bars and combs can be shifted so that inspection of the hives can be carried out whenever required, especially in those states or municipalities where the laws require regular inspection to make sure that there is no disease.
In the past, bar-type hives that were used in Britain and America had combs that were joined to the sides of the hive and to the bars. As such, the removal of the combs necessitated the cutting away of the side attachments.
The top bar hives were invented so that the bees could be “kept” rather than just having them. Bees need not be killed to harvest honey and brood combs need not be disturbed. The designs are simple and blend well with the present day social and economic conditions.
Simple design and maintenance-free
Consisting of only the hive body, about 20 to 30 top bars (frames) and a lid, the top-bar hive has a simpler design than the Langstroth hive. Costly frames are not required as bees make their own comb, and after harvesting, the top bars can be used again.
Non-invasive design
The design makes it easy to check the bees without dismantling the hive. Since the bees will not be disturbed, it makes it healthier for them and for the beekeeper.
Ease of harvesting
All that has to be done to harvest the honey is to remove the bars with honeycomb. Because the bees make their own honeycomb, the top bar hive also produces more beeswax to harvest. Furthermore, a considerable amount of money is saved since there is no need for a honey extractor/centrifuge or uncapping knife. Only beginners will need protective clothing.
Better health for bees
Living conditions for bees in a top bar hive are healthy. As such, the colony becomes stronger and can resist pests and diseases more effectively than in a Langstroth hive. There will be less expense for medications and less of a chance that the hive will die out during the winter.
Disadvantages of a top bar hive
The design of the top bar hive does not bring about maximum honey production, although in some cases high production has been reported. More than likely, a hobby beekeeper would prefer the ease of operation and healthy bees more than a few extra pounds of honey.
More about top bar hives
A top bar hive is a movable comb hive and is legal to use since all the bars and combs can be shifted so that inspection of the hives can be carried out whenever required, especially in those states or municipalities where the laws require regular inspection to make sure that there is no disease.
In the past, bar-type hives that were used in Britain and America had combs that were joined to the sides of the hive and to the bars. As such, the removal of the combs necessitated the cutting away of the side attachments.
The top bar hives were invented so that the bees could be “kept” rather than just having them. Bees need not be killed to harvest honey and brood combs need not be disturbed. The designs are simple and blend well with the present day social and economic conditions.
posted by Scott Paton at 10:00 AM
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