Horizontal Top-Bar Beehive

A Horizontal Top-Bar Beehive is a single-story frameless hive in which the comb hangs from removable bars. Typically more than twice as wide as commonly seen multi-story framed hives, they usually include one box only so that the beekeeper interferes very little with the colony. In addition, they require no heavy lifting and no extra equipment, such as supers, foundation, extractors, or tools. Their sloping-wall design allows the comb to be built in a manageable size and discourages bees from building comb attachments to the walls. Harvesting involves simply cutting off the comb, leaving approximately half inch space for the bees to rebuild.

Cost: $200-$500, depending on size, materials, mounting system, etc.

Impairment Category: Back, Lower extremity, Strength/endurance, Upper extremity