What are the dimensions of a Warre hive?

12″ x 12″
Warre boxes are considerably smaller than those of a Langstroth and are square. They typically measure 12″ x 12″, which is a closer approximation to the locations that wild bees naturally choose, such as in a hollow in a tree.

How many boxes do you need for Langstroth hive?

Frame Count The other choice with the Langstroth is whether to use 8 or 10 frame boxes. Both have been common for a long time and work very well. Again, the benefit of the 8 frame box is that it is lighter, at the cost of storing less honey.

How many beehives are in a box?

The general consensus in most regions of the world is to use either one or two brood boxes. Using three or more means that you are probably doing your bees a disservice. In this case you would be better off splitting the large hive so you can get back to one or two brood boxes.

How do you manage a Warre hive?

Warre hives are meant to be expanded with the nadiring practice, by adding empty boxes to the bottom of the hive. The bees will generally build from the top down, and as their bottom most box becomes 80% full, an empty box can be added underneath. Then, excess honey will be harvested off the top of the hive.

Should I add another brood box or super?

My recommendation is to always add a second brood box before adding any honey supers, as this will result in a much stronger beehive and will give the queen more room to lay her eggs. When you have between six and eight of them drawn out, place your honey super on top, so that the bees have more space.

How does a Langstroth hive work?

In a Langstroth hive, the bees build honeycomb into frames, which can be moved with ease. The frames are designed to prevent bees from attaching honeycombs where they would either connect adjacent frames, or connect frames to the walls of the hive.

How does the quilt box work in a Warre hive?

It’s literally everywhere (except on this website) that you might read about Warré hives; “the quilt box prevents the build-up of condensation within the hive by absorbing moisture from the air that enters the hive at the bottom, and then rises and passes through the quilt box before it exits the hive”.

What does a quilt box do for bees?

The quilt box provides insulation for the hive (thus, the name). During the winter months, this insulation keeps the bees warmer and prevents condensation from forming above them and then dripping down on them. In winter, wet bees are dead bees. Moisture is mitigated from the hive through the quilt; it is not absorbed by it.

How does a Warre hive work for beekeeping?

This is the more complicated of the two roof designs that Warré presents in Beekeeping for All. It has a ventilated cavity immediately under the upper surfaces of the roof. This is to dissipate solar heat. Inside is a cover board (or ‘mouse board’) which rests on the quilt.

How big should the handles be on a Warre hive?

Obviously half-joints or finger joints make a stronger box, although this increases the complexity. Warré does not specify the size of the handles, but 300 x 20 x 20 mm bars, with three nails and glued have been found to work well in practice, including when lifting the entire hive with the bottom box handles.

What are the dimensions of a Warre hive? 12″ x 12″ Warre boxes are considerably smaller than those of a Langstroth and are square. They typically measure 12″ x 12″, which is a closer approximation to the locations that wild bees naturally choose, such as in a hollow in a tree. How many boxes do…