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The Langstroth Beehive: A Comprehensive Guide
The Langstroth beehive, named after its inventor Lorenzo Langstroth, has become the most iconic and widely used beehive design in the world. Its modular design, ease of use, and efficiency in honey production have made it a favorite among both amateur and professional beekeepers.
Key Takeaways:
- The Langstroth beehive is the most common beehive design used today.
- It offers a modular and expandable design, allowing beekeepers to easily manage and harvest honey.
- The beehive consists of three main sections: the lower section, boxes, and the upper section.
- Beekeepers have flexibility in choosing the depth and frame count of the boxes.
- Various accessories can be added to enhance the functionality and protection of the hive.
Table of Contents
- History and Popularity
- Design Overview
- Components of the Langstroth Hive
- Advantages and Disadvantages
- External Resources
- Components of the Langstroth Hive
- Operational Factors
- Pros and Cons of the Langstroth Hive
- The Langstroth Beehive: Frequently Asked Questions
History and Popularity
There is little doubt that the Langstroth beehive has become the symbol of beekeeping. For over 150 years, this design has remained largely unchanged, proving its effectiveness and efficiency. The Langstroth’s popularity isn’t due to a lack of innovation in beehive technology, but rather its ability to meet the needs of both the bees and the beekeeper.
Design Overview
The Langstroth beehive can be broadly divided into three sections:
Lower Section
This is the base on which the boxes rest. It includes a bottom board with an entrance for bees. Many beekeepers also use a hive stand to elevate the hive from the ground.
Boxes
This is the heart of the hive. The boxes house the brood, honey, pollen, propolis, and of course, the bees. The modular design allows beekeepers to add or remove boxes based on the needs of the colony.
Upper Section
Comprising an inner cover and a top cover, this section seals the hive, protecting it from external elements.
Components of the Langstroth Hive
Bottom Board
The bottom board supports the hive and provides an entrance for the bees. There are two main types: solid and screened. The latter is especially useful for monitoring mite levels.
Boxes
The Langstroth design offers flexibility in terms of box size. Beekeepers can choose between deep, medium, or shallow boxes. The depth of the box determines its purpose, with deeper boxes typically used for brooding and shallower ones for honey storage.
Frames and Foundation
Inside each box, beekeepers place frames, which can be either 8 or 10 depending on the box size. These frames hold the foundation where bees build their comb.
Inner and Top Cover
The inner cover sits atop the highest box and may have an additional entrance for bees. The top cover, as the name suggests, covers the entire hive.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Expandability: Beekeepers can easily add or remove boxes, making it suitable for colonies of varying sizes.
- Interchangeability: Standardized dimensions mean parts from different manufacturers are compatible.
- High Honey Yield: The design facilitates efficient honey production and harvesting.
Disadvantages:
- Weight: Full boxes, especially those made of certain materials, can be heavy and challenging to lift.
- Inspections: Checking the brood box requires lifting all the boxes above it, which can be cumbersome.
External Resources
The Langstroth Beehive: Deep Dive into Benefits and Maintenance
The Langstroth beehive, with its vertical frame design, stands out as the most commonly used beehive in North America. Its components and operational factors are tailored to ensure the happiness and health of the bee colony. This section delves deeper into the components, operational factors, and the pros and cons of the Langstroth beehive.
Components of the Langstroth Hive
Frames and Supers
Langstroth hives are available in both 8 and 10 frame sizes. The ten-frame design is more prevalent, but the eight-frame variant is gaining traction due to its lighter weight and closer resemblance to the natural bee habitat. These frames can contain either beeswax or plastic foundation with preformed comb shapes. The foundation in wax often contains chemicals from the original wax used in its production.
Entrance Reducers
These are essential for protecting a weakened hive from potential robbers and jackets. They also play a role in reducing drafts during winter and can be used to fumigate the hive with natural essential oils.
Queen Excluders
A topic of debate among beekeepers, queen excluders are placed between the brood boxes and the honey boxes to prevent the queen from laying eggs in the honey supers. However, they can be high maintenance and may reduce honey production.
Feeders
There are various types of feeders, each with its advantages and disadvantages:
- Open Air Feeders: Not recommended due to the attraction of wildlife and potential bee fights.
- Entrance Feeders: Convenient but can freeze in cold weather and increase the potential for robbing.
- Division Board Feeders: Positioned inside the hive, but many bees often drown in these.
- Internal Hive-Top Feeders: Positioned above the brood boxes, they hold a lot of food but can be problematic.
- External Hive-Top Feeders: Suitable for commercial beekeepers, they hold a large amount of food.
- Baggie Feeders: Environmentally unfriendly but effective in preventing bee drowning.
Operational Factors
Weekly Hive Checks
Regular inspections are crucial. As the hive grows, beekeepers must add appropriately sized supers to accommodate bee activity. Many Langstroth hive keepers use chemicals on a set schedule to treat potential hive pests and diseases.
Inspection Process
Understanding the purpose of the inspection is vital. Ideal conditions for inspection are warm, sunny days. Beekeepers should stand at the back of the hive, use smoke or sugar water spray to calm the bees, and inspect each frame carefully.
Verifying a Healthy Hive
Signs of a healthy hive include capped brood comb in a compact pattern, new eggs, new comb, nectar or honey in the cells, stored pollen, and drone brood in about 10% to 15% of the brood cells.
Warning Signs
Beekeepers should be wary of supercedure cells, swarm cells, excessive drone brood, and signs of disease.
Pros and Cons of the Langstroth Hive
Pros:
- Commonality: Easy to find mentors and guidance.
- Interchangeability: Equipment is standardized across manufacturers.
- High Honey Production: Designed for efficient honey harvesting.
- Cost-Effective: Relatively inexpensive.
Cons:
- Size: Ten-frame hives are wider than bees’ natural habitat.
- Inspections: They can be invasive.
- Weight: Can be heavy, especially when full of honey.
- Chemicals: Foundations can contain chemicals.
The Langstroth Beehive: Frequently Asked Questions
As with any popular and widely-used system, the Langstroth beehive has generated a plethora of questions from both novice and experienced beekeepers. This section aims to address some of the most frequently asked questions about the Langstroth beehive, providing clarity and insights for those keen on understanding or adopting this beehive design.
1. Can you use frames with foundation in the long hive, or can you only use foundationless frames?
Answer: You can use any type of frame that fits a Langstroth hive. However, it’s recommended not to mix different types of foundation unless the comb is fully drawn out. While foundationless frames have their benefits, Langstroth deep frames are recommended as medium frames might not provide adequate space for bees to cluster during winter.
2. Does the entrance have to be on the end, or can it be in the middle?
Answer: The entrance should be on the end or on the side at one end. Bees typically build the brood nest near the entrance and place honey stores behind it. If the entrance is in the middle, honey stores might get split, potentially causing the cluster to starve in winter due to inaccessibility to honey on the other side.
3. Do you need to use division boards to manage the brood nest?
Answer: Filling the empty hive with all frames from the start and allowing bees to expand naturally is a common approach. Bees will only use the space they need and will only heat the brood nest. Using division boards might create more work for the beekeeper, as they would need to monitor the honey flow and ensure bees have enough space when required.
4. Is it necessary to double wall or insulate the hive during winter?
Answer: This largely depends on your location. If you’re in USDA plant hardiness zone 6 or lower, insulating your hives during winter is advisable. For zones 7 and above, insulation might not be necessary. Beekeepers can choose between adding insulation or opting for a double-walled hive, depending on their preference.
5. Should I use a screened bottom board?
Answer: For beekeepers in colder regions with traditional winters, a screened bottom board might not be essential. However, those in warmer climates without a hard winter might benefit from it, as it can help break the pest cycle. Some beekeepers have even created pull-out drawers under a screened bottom for warmer climates.
6. How important is ventilation for the hive?
Answer: Ventilation is crucial for bee survival, especially during winter. The design should ensure adequate ventilation. Notched inner covers can provide year-round ventilation. Additionally, metal entrance covers in the peaked roof can offer more ventilation during summer.
