The National Beehive
The WBC Beehive
The Smith Beehive
B.S. Commercial Beehive
British Standard Frames
British Standard Smith Frames
B.S. Commercial Frames
Special Breeding Bits
Boards and Gadgets
Open Mesh Floors
'Dartington' Long Deep Hive
|
|
|---|
British Standard
Beehive and Frame types
The "National" hive is the accepted standard in the UK and suits native type bees admirably. However it may not be the best answer if you wish to keep hybrid bees, but the B.S. Commercial brood box or 14" x 12" box can be used to house such bees, yet retaining compatibility of the National parts.
I have a special liking for "Top Bee Space" National Equipment and there are some items in the "Rational" page that may interest other users of Top Bee Space Nationals.
The WBC hive accepts British standard frames, but has fallen out of favour due to its complexity and cost.
The Smith hive takes frames that are "standard" apart from shorter lugs.
The B.S. Commercial hive has a larger volume and is suited to the Italianised bee hybrids that are found more in the south of England and can benefit from the milder weather.
The "Breeding Bits" pages cover many gadgets and bits and pieces required for bee breeding and queen mating.
The Dartington hive is now manufactured in UK and is a 'long idea' hive that uses the 14" x 12" frame for it's brood rearing.
