The Langstroth Hive

To start my beekeeping journey, I chose a ten-frame Langstroth hive.

I chose to paint it white for no reason other than I didn't want to draw too much attention to the hive in the neighborhood. You can paint your hive any color you want.

From what I have heard, the Langstroth hive is the most common. Another commonly known hive type is called a Top Bar. There are more types, but these are the most referred to in all the beginner beekeeping books I have read so far. I chose the Langstroth over the Top Bar because the Langstroth allows me to exclude the queen from certain sections of the hive, which to me is more desirable when it comes to honey extraction.

Speaking of the sweet stuff, I have heard quite frequently that in your first year of beekeeping, there is a far less chance of a high yield of honey to extract than from a more established hive. I remain optimistic!

While attending my first beekeeping class with the Hampden County Beekeepers Association (HCBA), I met many wonderful individuals with a wide range of experience. I sat next to an experienced beekeeper who showed me an affordable way to purchase a Langstroth hive when starting out. I did purchase my first hive from Amazon, but I hope to buy from a local business in the future when I am in a better position to do so.

Assembling the hive was not too hard—as it was a family affair! My father helped me assemble the box and frames. We took a break mid-way to enjoy some bee-themed cupcakes my sister made to celebrate the occasion. In total, we assembled four layers, 20 medium frames, and 20 deep frames in just a few hours (including a well-needed cupcake break!).

Beginner Beekeeper Links

• The Hive

• Plastic Stand

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This post is for informational purposes only. Always consult local experts before making beekeeping decisions.