The beekeeping hive is an essential part of beekeeping. A natural bee hive created by bees can generally be found in trees. However, as a beekeeper, you will need an artificial bee hive. In fact, with the many different pesticides found in society today that are harmful to bees, an artificial can be a much better alternative for the bee. The artificial is similar to the natural bee hive in that it has cavities.

Deciding to Construct or Purchase a Bee Hive

Constructing a bee hive is not a difficult task. When you make your own, it can be constructed to your specific needs. There are many different plans available on the Internet that will give you step by step instructions on how to make them.

If you are not interested in making your own bee hive, you can buy online or from a local beekeeper. It is important to purchase the right type that will fulfill your purpose for beekeeping. The majority of beekeepers are involved for the honey or simply an interest in the life of bees. In order to prevent the spread of any diseases, it is recommended that you purchase new equipment rather than used.

The Role of the Natural Bee Hive

In order to understand what type of artificial bee hive you will want, it is important to understand the role of the natural bee hive. Different types of bees prefer different types of hives. The genus Apis bees make nests themselves or will use other sources, such as:

-Hollow trees
-Rock cavities
-Cave cavities
-Other natural formations

Other bees live in hanging bee hives constructed of parallel honeycombs. The upper cavities of the hive contains honey and the lower portion contains pollen. There is only one entry point which is guarded by the bees.

Artificial Bee Hives

- Mud and Clay Bee Hive - This type was more traditional years ago in Egypt, Italy, the Middle East, and Greece. They are long, cylindrical structures made of dung, straw, and unbaked mud. They are generally stacked on top of each other to allow shade for the bees that like to live in the lower parts of the hive. Clay and mud hives are not as common today.

- Top-Bar Bee Hive - This is an alternative to the more costly and complicated. It is a simple concept and very easy to make. The idea behind this type of hive is that there is no foundation. A top-bar is used without a bottom or side. The bees make the combs where they hang from the top-bar.

- Skep Bee Hive - These are simply baskets made from straw or coils of dried grass. The concept is the same as a natural hive in that there is one entrance at the base and is hollow inside. The bees make their own honeycomb. Many beekeepers will use a basket woven on top that is connected to the main skep, so they can extract honey without harming the bees or the honeycomb.

Warre Bee Hive - Created by Abbe Emil Warre,this is a very common bee hive for hobby beekeepers. Warre bee hives have vertically lined up boxes supported by a top bar. A vertical top bar hive is friendly to the bees since they are allowed to draw out their own comb, thereby ensuring the hive environment that is healthier and better suited to their own needs.

Langstroth Bee Hive - Invented by Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth, this is the most common hive. The hive is constructed out of wood or plastic crates which are glued closely together and filled with wax combs. The combs are arranged with a narrow passage allowing the bees to travel through unobstructed. Because the hives are interchangeable, they are ideal for beekeepers to expand the hives.

While there are many different types of beekeeping hives, the Warre and Langstroth bee hives are the most common today.