This made it much easier to check the colony without killing bees. The Langstroth hive boxes and frames were build to specifications that reduced burr comb or bridge comb construction. Using the principle of bee space, the design revolutionized beekeeping.īee space (commonly referred to as 3/8”) is the space that bees will naturally leave between sheets of honeycomb. This hive design features honeycomb held in removable wooden frames. The most common is the Langstroth hive developed in 1851. There are several different types of beehives and their configuration varies (number of boxes uses etc). These beekeeping supers are often called honey supers. The top boxes of a hive stack may contain excess honey for the beekeeper. The colony has room to raise young and store food. Modern beehives have many parts – this makes managing the colony easier for the beekeeper. This is a man-made box used by beekeepers. If you suspect you have Africanized Bees, call a professional for removal – they can be dangerous.īeyond natural hive locations, there is another common type of bee home. This race of bees known as Africanized Honey Bees prefer some of these unusual locations-such as water meters.

It is especially risky for people liking in areas known to have “killer bees”. None of these situations are ideal – for the bees or the homeowner. Or a colony may move into an empty wood pile or a small plastic utility box. Even an unused gas grill can be home to a colony of honey bees. (A good reason to caulk any openings to the outside.) Homeowners do not like to find a honey bee hive living in the walls of their home. Sometimes bees move into structures that conflict with the desires of humans. However, sometimes you might see what you think is a beehive in a tree – but it is only a round swarm of bees – resting before moving to a new location.

But, they sometimes live there for years. It is possible that a colony located in a tree cavity will eventually die out due to disease.

Can a local beekeeping association for help. Those homeless bees that build comb on exposed tree limbs will eventually freeze to death in cold climates. However, sometimes swarms get stuck and can’t decide where to go next. They will eventually move on to a better location. Is this a bee hive? Perhaps not – likely you are seeing a bee swarm. What about those colonies of honey bees that build in the trees? Some do find an inner cavity to set up housekeeping – it is their natural habitation form.īut, you may find bees on sheets of exposed honeycomb just hanging from a limb. This is another type of nest that you should stay away from as the inhabitants are know for nasty personalities. Yellow Jackets and honey bees share some common characteristics but they are very different. Many homeowners put out the yellow jacket traps to reduce the number near their home. However, the most common one confused with honey bees is a member of the wasp family called – Yellow Jackets. There are many species of bees that live in the ground. While it is not impossible, it is very uncommon to find honey bees nesting in the ground. They build a new nest each year and do not overwinter like a honey bee colony. But, they have a nasty temper – stay away. These insect predators serve a useful purpose by catching spiders and other pests. They are not – do not try to collect any honey from a hornet nest! Hornet nests are often confused as honey bee hives. Not every type of bee that builds a nest in a tree is making a true beehive.

Round bee hives