Bee Hive
A bee hive is most essential for normal movement and functioning of bees. This space permits free passage for worker bees and is too small to build a comb by bees or too large for depositing bee glue i.e. propolis.
Following are the parts and dimensions of a bee hive
Stand:To support bottom board.
Bottom Board: It is floor of the hive having an entrance for bees. On this board brood chamber rests.
Brood Chamber: Chamber used for rearing of brood. Frames are placed in this chamber on which bees raise combs. The dimensions and number of frames vary with the type of hive. A wooden dummy board is used to limit the size of brood chamber and is placed at the end of brood frames.
Frame: Each frame consists of a top bar, two side and a bottom bar. Inner aspect of the top bar has a groove for fixing comb foundation sheet. Side bar has 4 holes for wiring the frame. The frame holds a comb.
Dimensions of a beehive:
In general for A. mellifera we use Langstroth hive (named after L.L. Langstroth) and for A. cerana, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard) hive A and B type. In 1995, BIS introduced C-type hive based on Langstroth hive, for A. melifera. Well seasoned wood of “Kail, “Toon”, teak or rubber can be used for making good quality bee hives. Wood having strong smell is not used. Dimensions of different types of bee hives being used in India are given below:
Supar: Dimensions may be same as that of brood chamber or half of it (depending on type of bee hive). This is the chamber where bees store surplus honey.
Inner cover: A board which acts as a partition between brood/super chamber and the roof .
Top Cover:A type of lid acting as roof placed over inner cover.