Top Bar Hive Roof Plans

Generally the bars are a wooden wedge or strip with a guide to ensure combs hang straight.

Top bar hive roof plans. It is often recommended that the hive body has sloping sides reflecting the shape of naturally made comb so that the bees are less likely to attach comb to the sides of the hive. Warre hives are the middle ground between langstroth and top bar. The top bar hive is the oldest and most commonly used hive style in the world. A top bar hive comprises a hive body top bars and roof.

With a top bar hive the combs can become very soft and fragile if the hive is overheating. The number of top bars the hive will accommodate varies with the width of the box but as a reference a 42 box will use 28 top bars. Each top bar is laid across the hive with one end at the front of the box and the other at the back. Many beekeepers will use top bars that have a small comb guide hanging down.

A very good idea. In the design described here. The colorado top bar beehive. It features individual bars laid across the top of the hive cavity.

Whether it is a cathedral hive or a regular top bar hive proper ventilation from a roof is needed. Top bar hives are perfect for small scale beekeeping or hobbyist who doesn t want to lift more than 40lbs. The bees build their comb down from these bars naturally without the use of a 4 sided frame or foundation.