The STANDARD HIVE CASE

from Bonterra Bees

comes in two Case widths;

"DOUBLE WIDE" DW    &    "SINGLE WIDE" SW

Please Note:

We recommend a DW, double-wide Hive Case for:

NEW BEEKEEPERS

COLD WINTER AREAS

(Areas with more than 60 contiguous "no-fly" days where temperatures are less than 45 degrees combined with rain and\or snow). Allows for "clustering"a natural instinct.

LOW MAINTENANCE

(Our 6,8 & 10 frame DWs may only need minimal maintenance)

PUBLIC EXHIBIT CENTERS and SCHOOL CLASSROOMS

(Where minimum upkeep and maintenance are desired)

FERAL HIVE MODE

(all our Observation Hive Cases are designed for Feral, natural colonies, as opposed to honey production Hives)

We recommend an SW, single-wide Hive Case only for:

EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPERS

(who have supplementary honey and brood resources available to be added to the Observation Hive, if needed)

YEAR-ROUND WARM AREAS

(that have few "no-fly" days and nearly continuous bloom resources)

AS A LAB OR STUDY HIVE

(for higher level school and institutional Bee study programs)

We are often asked:

How often will I see the Queen 

in a DW vs. a SW?

   

  In our experience this is a non-question. In a DW the Queen will be on the outside every day in the foraging and brood season, laying eggs and searching for clean cells. Indeed some of the time she will be between frames. 

There are so many other activities by other Bees, bringing in nectar and pollen, storing honey, packing pollen, building comb, new bees emerging and  nursing the Brood, and watching those amusing, lazy, unavailing Drones. You'll want to see the whole Colony do it's thing. You will see the Queen often and sighting her and watching her will be even more exciting.

 Most importantly, the DW offers better "clustering" during Winter and that is essential to a colony's well being.

Our  STANDARD OBSERVATION HIVE CASE comes with Langstroth-style deep or medium frames.

 

All Hive Cases include; ♦ OUTSIDE ENTRANCE UNIT         plus thru wall tube. ♦ GLASS FRAMES BOTH SIDES        removable for servicing the Hive. ♦ ADJUSTABLE HIVE CASE DOOR        for closing the Hive case and for restricting cold air.       ♦ MULTI-PURPOSE FEEDING STATION        for syrup jar and access for queen        cage insertion and Bee access ♦ 4 MOISTURE VENTS        screened with #8 stainless steel mesh. ♦ DEBRIS PORT(for Swingview model)        for removing debris, feeding, future                    accessories                 ♦ INSTALLATION & MANAGEMENT TIPS        with links and help for new beekeepers.   Additionally;      OBSERVATION HIVE CASES are easily removable to the outdoors for servicing and installation of bees. The glass frames are removable for access to the hive. Bonterra Bees has the best observation hives for sale on the market today.     OUR HIVE CASES and Model mounts are made of Select Douglas Fir and are finished with clear a sealer.     GETTING BEES  & GETTING ADVICE; We suggest you contact a local beekeeper or beekeeping club in your area for geo-appropriate advice and sources for bees.  Beekeepers are characteristically good people and ready to help. Also see Beesource.com or Dadant.com or any of the abundant bee information sites online.       (Note: frames, bees, foundation and glass are not included. Please Note: Hive Cases loaded with Bees and honey can be Heavy, use two people for transporting your Hive)