Top Bar Hive Roof Plans

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.

Top bar hive roof plans.

Your top bar hive needs some type of roof to go over the flat lid of the hive. A top bar hive comprises a hive body top bars and roof. Top bar hives are always rectangular in shape and are typically more than twice as wide as many story framed hives. It features individual bars laid across the top of the hive cavity.

Each top bar is laid across the hive with one end at the front of the box and the other at the back. Generally the bars are a wooden wedge or strip with a guide to ensure combs hang straight. Many beekeepers will use top bars that have a small comb guide hanging down. You can also print the complete design plans and parts list which is posted below to build your own hive.

Using wood glue or melted beeswax for a nontoxic option fasten the foundation into the grooves. The bees build their comb down from these bars naturally without the use of a 4 sided frame or foundation. A top bar. Whether it is a cathedral hive or a regular top bar hive proper ventilation from a roof is needed.

Now let s begin with the first beehive plans. 38 langstroth top bar and warre hive plans 1. 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.

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. Top bar hives allow beekeeping methods that interfere much less with the bee colony allowing it to be more natural. A top bar beehive is a single story frameless beehive where the comb hangs from removable wooden bars. 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 colorado top bar beehive. Warre hives are the middle ground between langstroth and top bar. With a top bar hive the combs can become very soft and fragile if the hive is overheating.