Langstroth Hives are the most popular Hives, either an 8 Frame or a 10 Frame.
"Deeps" are 9 inches tall
"Mediums" are 6 1/2 inches tall
"Shallows" are 5 1/4 inches tall
There is a notch on the top for the inner cover for bees to circulate the air through and "fan" the air out of the hive.
It is recommend to get a bottom board with mesh to deteriorate the mites and other insects from coming in from the bottom.
Entrance Reducer: This is a long skinny piece of wood with cut outs. When starting you should leave this piece in with the smallest door way out so it helps the bees to fend off any visitors. After a few more weeks go by and you notice a build up in this entrance way, it is safe to turn this around to the bigger opening, but never remove it completely because it is harder for bees to defend against intruders.
Mouse Guard: Usually a piece of Hardware cloth to prevent mice from entering the hive. Mice usually don't steal honey however they do cause disturbance and stink up the hive.
When starting out it is recommended to get frames with foundation. Foundations are usually wires on the frames with a beeswax paper marking the hexagon shapes out for a new colony to start with. You should get a hive with all frames having foundation on them when starting out. After a year or so, you can upgrade to the next level and try interlacing them, one frame with foundation, one without, one with foundation, one without, and so on. This way the bees learn to make the comb straight which in turn is easier for the beekeeper to pull out one by one.
Installing the Package:
Step 1:When driving with bees in car, do not put in truck they will die from heat, do not put in back of pick up truck, the wind will get them. Place in back seat of cars. If there are extra bees hanging out of the package
Step 2: Take out half of frames in hive.
Step 3:Take out the queen from the package.
Spray outside with water when you first get them home. Take a bottle of sugar water and spray the bees (don't soak them), so they get a little bit sticky to each other. Remove top board and throw box on ground so the bees go to the bottom.
Pull tin can out slowly, and take queen out. Place board quickly back on top without squishing any bees.
Take cork out of queen container and place queen in center frame with the queen candy facing up. Screen should be facing the front or back of the hive not towards another frame or else the bees will not be able to get to the queen to free her.
Step 4: With half of the frames still not in the hive, dump our the rest of the bees on the empty side of the hive. Slowly place rest of the frames in without killing any bees. Make sure all frames are centered in hive.
Make sure to do this process around 2/3 pm so the bees have enough time to warm up before the night hits.
