How to Build Honey Bee Hives

Create a home for your own swarm.

Beekeeping is a hobby that is fascinating, educational and provides you with delicious fresh honey. The construction of a beehive is quite simple: It is basically a wooden box that holds frames on which the bees live and work. You should check the laws in your area to see if there are any restrictions on beekeeping before beginning this project.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood for sides, 9 3/4-inches by 20-inches (2)
• Plywood for ends, 9 3/4-inches by 15-inches (2)
• Plywood for top and bottom, 16 1/2-inches by 21 1/2-inches (2)
• Boards, 1-by-2, 15-inches long (4)
• Boards, 2-by-4, 16 1/2-inches long (2)
• Saw
• Galvanized nails
• White paint

Instructions

1. Cut a notch across the long side of one of the ends. It should be 1/4-inch deep, starting from the end and extending halfway across the board. This will be the entrance for the bees.

2. Assemble the two sides and the two ends with nails to form a box.

3. 

   The thin board stretches across the top.

   Attach a 1-by-2 board to either end at the top of the box; this is the side opposite of the notch, which will be at the bottom. These boards will give the top more surface to rest upon.

4. Attach the 2-by-4 boards flat to either end of the bottom. These will act as legs.

5. Attach the bottom to the box on the end with the notch. It should be flush with the end opposite the notch, and extend a bit past the notch to form a porch for the bees.

6. Paint the beehive and the top white, inside and out.

7. Purchase 10 frames and put them in the beehive.

8. Set the top on the beehive.

References

• Coma Apiaries: Building a Bee Hive
• BeeCare: Beehive Frames

Resources

• Bee Source - Beehive plans