Comments on: The Hive Box – Warre Hive Construction Guide

By: KB

KB — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 00:48:45 +0000

Dave
Use the dimensions required for the hive boxes. Give them too much space and they’ll fill it up with burr comb, even down to the next boxes top bars. I have been using Warres for a few yrs now and they fill up until they get the 3/8 room to move around.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:51:28 +0000

Hi. Great site! I’m building my first Warre and I’m wondering how critical is the 8-1/4″ depth? Standard size from the lumber yard is 9-1/4″ — should I bother ripping it down?

By: Ernie

Ernie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:18:43 +0000

Peter,

Sounds like any wood glue would work but is there a particular type or brand of wood glue that you have found to work better? I’m really going to try and build a couple of these. So thanks for all the info.

One more item, I found a reference to how to treat the exterior. The suggestion was to take linseed oil and warm it in a pan (not boiling). Then add some beeswax to the oil. Let it cool some and then paint this all over the outside of the box and screws. Does this sound reasonable?

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:38:40 +0000

I know the link is for a langstroth hive, but the rabbet is the same.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:55:44 +0000

Debbie,

I think the type of wood to use depends on where you live. Here the choice is Spruce or Pine. I haven’t been able to figure out which is preferable. Don’t think it matters as long as the bottom brood box is not sitting in water and you have done something to protect it like painted it.

Thickness should be at least 3/4″ for strength and the rabbet for the frame rest.

try this link
http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/10-frame-langstroth-barry-birkey/

Ernie,

I have used plywood boxes that are nailed and glued together for both brood and supers without any problems. Bees just slather propolis all over it and go about their business. The glued joints are much stronger and the boxes hold up longer. I glue all my boxes.

By: Ernie

Ernie — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:43:03 +0000

Hi,

Great info. I just attended a bee-keeping class and found out that you should not use plywood when building a bee hive. Apparently, bees can smell any glue that is used and it can keep them from using the hive. Don’t use any glue in building the hive box or any wood that has been glued together.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:31:18 +0000

Hi
Can you tell me the best type of wood to use the bee hive and how thick the wood should be for the Hive box. Thanks

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:20:16 +0000

In nature, bees build down, very seldom does a hollow tree suddenly form a new cavity above the present nest. But by adding the new box at the bottom, the bees make new comb, new brood, and the emptied upper comb becomes honey stores.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:26:26 +0000

If the two bottom boxes are full with comb and brood can you just add a box on top for the bees to use as their honey stores