Spray bee packages several times a day with thin sugar syrup until you put them in the hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will add additional boxes as the colony\u2019s population expands.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you bought unassembled hive components, you need more lead time to get the hive set up correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> Unlike Langstroth hives, horizontal hives (such as top bar hives) consist of only one hive body. Divider, or follower, boards that block bee’s access to part of the hive body controlling expansion space in horizontal hives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This article will discuss how to get your unassembled hive together and options for assembled components so you can set up your first beehive without stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could consider all sorts of options, but we suggest you keep it simple in the beginning. For example, bottom boards can be solid or screened. We recommend you use a solid board at the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are not familiar with Langstroth hives, check our article on why we recommend it for beginning beekeeping<\/a><\/strong>. Also, see our article for detailed information about frames and foundation<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I have intentionally omitted a queen excluder from this setup.<\/strong> An excluder goes between the upper brood box and the bottom honey super.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worker bees can get through the excluder, but the queen, because of her size, cannot. In this way, the supers are kept free of eggs and brood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I did not add an excluder because we recommend that you do not harvest honey in your first year<\/strong>. Thus, it does not matter if the queen gets in the super.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: We have not used an excluder in years and seldom have an issue with a queen laying eggs in a super.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n In addition, some beekeepers add a low stand with a landing board, as shown in the image nearby. We used these in the beginning but found them to be unnecessary and not worth the expense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> 10-frame hive boxes are “standard.” However, components for 8-frame hives have become more available over the years. The smaller boxes are lighter when filled and easier to handle. You may want to consider them.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can purchase hive components fully assembled (either without or without paint) or unassembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unassembled components are less expensive but obviously more time-consuming to set up. However, if you have limited time or space but room in your budget, assembled equipment may be your best choice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Assembled components are ready to be set up upon arrival unless you need to paint them. Pre-painted hives are typically white; you may want to add some color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, assembling hive components is relatively simple, even with basic tools, if you have adequate time and space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you opt to assemble hive components yourself, make sure to give yourself enough time to be ready when your bees arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The videos below demonstrate how to assemble a hive body or a frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First-Year Langstroth Hive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Hive](\"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Hive-stand-landing-board.jpg\")
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Assembled Vs. Unassembled Hive Components<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How To Assemble Hive Components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Assembling](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/OkrGu0uGLGE\/0.jpg\")
![\"Beekeeping:](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RfFzHLlE5IY\/0.jpg\")
![\"Using](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/RwjSmZimelQ\/0.jpg\")