Types of hives
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Types of Hives: Insights from Recent Research
Traditional Log Hives, Langstroth Hives, and Kenyan Top-Bar Hives in Kenya
In Kenya, beekeepers primarily use three types of hives: traditional Log hives, Langstroth hives, and Kenyan top-bar hives. Research indicates that Langstroth hives are the most attractive to migrating swarms, followed by Log hives, with Kenyan top-bar hives being the least preferred1. The study also found that pathogen and parasite loads were correlated with colony age, while absconding rates were linked to colony size and weight. Recommendations include placing apiaries in areas with abundant floral resources to reduce absconding rates and addressing practical concerns to improve the utility of Kenyan top-bar hives1.
Stingless Bee Hives in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Tetragonula bees, a species of stingless bees, prefer to occupy building gaps and holes in tall plant stems. Two species, Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetragonula drescheri, were found in various locations, with differences noted in the hive entrance length, door thickness, texture, and direction2. Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity significantly affect colony activity, while wind speed and weather conditions impact the hive door's condition. The presence of food sources around the hive is crucial for colony survival and activity2.
Hive Types for Stingless Bees in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
In Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, three hive types were designed for stingless bees: Natural hives (NH), Bamboo hives (BH), and Log artificial hives (LAH). Wooden hives yielded the highest honey production at 665 ml/hive/season, followed by natural hives, while bamboo hives failed to establish perennial colonies3. The rate of colony establishment was best in wooden hives, making them the preferred choice for beekeepers in these regions3.
Wooden vs. Foam Hives in Egypt
A study in Egypt compared wooden and foam hives for honeybee colonies. Foam hives showed higher average worker sealed brood areas and colony weight compared to wooden hives. However, there were no significant differences in drone brood areas, queen cells number, stored pollen areas, and honey production areas between the two hive types4. Wooden hives were found to be more suitable for rearing honeybees due to their overall performance4.
Flow Hives vs. Traditional Langstroth Hives
The FlowTM hive, a new beehive construction, allows honey to be harvested directly from the hive without opening it, potentially reducing stress on the bees. A study comparing Flow hives and traditional Langstroth hives found no significant differences in the bee microbiome between the two hive types. The bee-associated bacterial communities remained consistent, dominated by taxa such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bartonella5. This suggests that different hive constructions do not influence the bee gut microbiome, which is crucial for hive health5.
Mekonen, Zander, and Kenyan Top-Bar Hives in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the Mekonen hive outperformed the Zander and Kenyan Top-Bar (KTB) hives in terms of honey yield, with an average annual yield of 26.77 kg/hive compared to 20.77 kg/hive for Zander and 17.61 kg/hive for KTB hives6. While the Mekonen hive was preferred for its higher yield, the KTB hive was more affordable and durable, making it a viable option for farmers6.
Conclusion
The choice of hive type significantly impacts honey production, colony health, and management practices. Langstroth hives are preferred in Kenya for their attractiveness to swarms, while wooden hives are favored in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for their higher honey yield. Foam hives in Egypt show better brood rearing performance, and the Flow hive offers a stress-reducing alternative without affecting the bee microbiome. In Ethiopia, the Mekonen hive provides the highest honey yield, though the KTB hive remains a cost-effective option. Understanding these differences can help beekeepers optimize their practices for better productivity and colony health.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
The impact of hive type on the behavior and health of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) in Kenya
Langstroth hives are most attractive to migrating swarms and Log hives, while Kenyan top-bar hives are least preferred, with pathogen and parasite loads correlated with colony age and absconding rates influenced by colony size and weight.
Distribution and Characteristics of Two Species of Stingless Bee Hives (Tetragonula spp.) in the Rural Landscape of Sumedang Regency (Indonesia)
Two species of Tetragonula bees, Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetragonula drescheri, are found in the Sumedang area of Indonesia, with their hive characteristics varying between species.
Architectural design of stingless bee hives
Wooden hives have the highest colony establishment rate and yield, while bamboo hives struggle to establish perennial colonies.
Honey bee microbiome associated with different hive and sample types over a honey production season
Different hive constructions and disturbance levels do not significantly influence the bee gut microbiome, which supports hive health.
Rigorous JournalComparative Evaluation of Mekonen Beehive Technology with Zander and KTB Beehive Types on Honey Yield and Cost Benefit Analysis Under Sidama Condition, Ethiopia
Mekonen beehive technology provides higher honey yield and profitability compared to Zander and KTB hive types under Sidama conditions, making it a recommended alternative for farmers.
New concepts of hive formation in cholinergic urticaria
Cholinergic urticaria can be divided into two subtypes, with different mechanisms of hive formation, and both types show hypersensitivity to autologous sweat and satellite wheals.
IDDF2020-ABS-0112 Gut-skin axis: decoding the link between the gut microbiome and hives
Chronic urticaria patients have a decreased abundance of certain gut bacteria, potentially leading to inflammatory skin diseases.
Systematic ReviewRigorous Journal