Beehive Boxes
Beehive boxes are commonly called “supers”. These are the basic components of the Langstroth Beehive. They serve as the home for the honey bee colony. Inside, they live, raise young, store food for Winter and hopefully make honey for us too. Beekeepers manage their colonies by stacking boxes one on another to give the bees more space. In this guide, you will learn the basics to help you choose which beehive boxes are best for your bees.
A wise beekeeper strives to learn the proper names of all the parts of a beehive. But, it is not always easy – beekeepers often use the same words to mean different things! So, be prepared to do a bit of explaining when talking with another beekeeper.
Types of Beehive Boxes
Beehive boxes or “supers” come in three primary sizes: deep, medium and shallow. Each size serves a particular purpose in bee hive management.
However, there is much flexibility and each beekeeper can choose for him/herself how to use them. Let’s take a closer look at each and the most common way they are used.
Deeps (Brood Box or Hive Body)
Deep boxes are the largest of the standard bee boxes. They are typically used at the bottom of the hive stack. You will hear them referred to as the brood chamber (or bee brood box).
Dimensions for the Langstroth Hive 10 frame deep box are approximately: 19 7/8” x 16 1/4” x 9 5/8”.
This is the primary area of the hive where the queen lays eggs and young are reared. Brood, pollen and honey are stored in this central core of the hive. This space is largely intended for the bee’s use only.
Considerations:
A standard new hive starts with one deep. As the colony grows in size, more boxes are added on top. The size of those additional boxes are completely up the the discretion of the beekeeper.
Some beekeepers use 2 deeps to give the bees room to raise young and store food. (Food the honey bees need to survive Winter.)
For myself, I give my colonies two boxes also. But, I choose 1 deep and a shallow or medium for the second box. This makes my hives easier to handle while still giving the colony sufficient space.
Deep boxes are not normally used for the beekeeper’s honey harvest. They become very heavy when filled with honey and the weight is more than most beekeepers want to bother with.
Medium Boxes (Illinois Supers)
Medium hive boxes are very versatile. They can be used for brood or honey storage. Dimensions are approximately – 19 7/8” x 16 1/4” x 6 5/8”.
They are a good option for beekeepers who do not want to use 2 deeps as their standard hive configuration. A deep and a medium (or two) would get hives through the Winter in most locations.
Considerations:
Some apiarists choose to use medium supers for all the boxes of the hive. In this case, 3 are used together to make up a hive (similar interior space to 1 deep and 1 shallow).
Using mediums for brood, bee food and your honey crop has advantages. All of the equipment is interchangeable – you don’t have to have a wide variety of frames and foundation sizes.
And, you need less beekeeping equipment storage space over Winter.
Shallow Boxes
Shallow boxes are almost always called – honey supers. Though like the other boxes of the hive, they can be used for any purpose – the bees don’t care.
“Super” is short for superstructure. The Latin origin of the word generally means “above”. Historically, boxes for honey were stored above or on top of the hive stack. Hence, the term “honey supers”.
A standard 10 frame shallow boxes measure approximately : 19 7/8” x 16 1/4” x 5 11/16”. Due to their smaller size and weight, this is the favorite size used by beekeepers for honey harvesting.
Considerations:
While they are easier to handle, the small size of shallows means that you may need more boxes for a hive with a large, strong colony. When the colony runs out of space, it will be time to add another honey super to the hive.
Choosing the Right Size
So which type of beehive box is best? It all depends on your abilities and preferences. Also, keep in mind that beekeeping terms can be confusing. One person’s honey super may be a shallow and you may be thinking medium!
Factors to Consider
- are you able to lift deep boxes constantly?
- if your goal is to produce honey – numerous shallows might be better
- live in a warm climate with mild winters? Double deeps may not be needed
Regardless of the beehive box sizes you choose, remember to coordinate your other equipment.
- deeps – deep frames, deep foundation
- mediums – medium frames, medium foundation
- shallow – shallow frames, shallow foundation
10 or 8 Frame Sizes
The standard Langstroth hive box holds 10 frames. These removable frames make it possible to inspect the colony without destroying comb.
However, you can buy 8 frame boxes. They are the same length and height but the width is slightly smaller.
The smaller size makes these boxes easier to lift. However, they do not give the colony as much internal space for expansion.
Start Up Hive
If you buy a new bee package, start your hive with 1 beehive box (usually a deep -unless you plan to use only mediums).
When the bees have filled most of this deep (brood box), it is time to add another box. This second box may be a shallow, a medium or even another deep. This choice is yours.
How many boxes will you need? We can only speak in generalities because the amount of honey a hive produces can vary greatly. Considering different climates, forage conditions and more – a solid number is impossible.
Yet, I suggest you have at least 2 shallow (or medium) supers for each hive for the honey flow season. (Personally, I like to have 3-4).
Be sure to have the frames and foundation necessary to complete your hive. Leave no empty spaces inside the boxes.
FAQs
Begin the beehive with 1 box (usually a deep), as the colony grows add another box. The number needed for each colony depends on many factors including climate. A general rule is 4 boxes per colony.
The word “super” is generally used to reference the boxes that the beekeeper uses to harvest honey for human use. However, you may hear this word used for deeps, mediums or shallows.
Absolutely you can mix and match beehive box sizes to achieve the hive configuration that your bees need.
When to add honey supers depends on climate and condition of the colony. In most cases, honey supers are added to the hive in the Spring before the heavy nectar flow.
Yes, you can have too boxes on a beehive. The colony needs room to expand and store food but too much space and a low population invites pests.
A Final Word
Deciding which type of beehive you wish to use and the specific sizes is a big decision for the new beekeeper. All hives and different sizes of bee boxes or supers will work. It is a good idea to keep a few extras on hand.