Simple Top Bar Hive Plans

The hive is built upside down and inside out.

Simple top bar hive plans. Position one of the side panels against the follower boards resting on the top bars. Top bar hives are perfect for small scale beekeeping or hobbyist who doesn t want to lift more than 40lbs. Place a strip of bee foundation inside each of the top bar grooves. With a top bar hive the combs can become very soft and fragile if the hive is overheating.

The top bars are then added into the hive and a top wooden cover is placed on top. 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. The bees will build their comb onto this foundation which will hang down into the body of the hive. 38 langstroth top bar and warre hive plans 1.

A mesh screen is added to the bottom of the hive to allow debris to fall out of the hive. If you want to build the most simple beehive possible most beekeepers would tell you to choose a top bar hive. The first item which is required as the name suggests is the 55 gallon barrel or drums which is going to be the foundation. You can also print the complete design plans and parts list which is posted below to build your own hive.

A very good idea. Whether it is a cathedral hive or a regular top bar hive proper ventilation from a roof is needed. Lastly the top bar should be 32 to 33 mm or 1 1 4 inch wide. Use shims of various widths for the other end of the hive to make a tight seal.

Using wood glue or melted beeswax for a nontoxic option fasten the foundation into the grooves. New beekeepers did not have to find and purchase special items. Warre hives are the middle ground between langstroth and top bar. The top bar hive could be constructed with materials that were readily available.

This also allows for ventilation for the whole hive. A small nail tapped into the top bar prevents the side panel from slipping off. The colorado top bar beehive. Since each top bar accounts for only half of the bee space required between combs a spacer should be placed between the first bar and the side of the hive.

With timbers the frame of the beehive should be made and then the roof and top frame. The spacer should be 3 16 to 1 4 wide and 19 long. Now let s begin with the first beehive plans. There are only three critical measurements for your top bar hive.

Your top bar hive needs some type of roof to go over the flat lid of the hive. Second it should be small enough for you to lift and move if necessary. This is a top bar barrel bee hive plan which is very simple to make. This hive style was developed in kenya.

3 feet high is the recommended height for a top bar hive.