Structure Of Beehives

In nature, bees have a fascinating, meticulous way of forming their beehives, which serve as their homes, their protection and their source of life. Also available are artificial beehives that humans create to house the bees to produce honey.

  1. Structure

    • Beehives created naturally by bees are made of honeycombs that are laid out parallel to each other in a symmetric, uniform pattern. Many beehives only contain one entrance, but if needed, this can be changed, such as in times of stress and danger. The beehive enables bees to give birth, produce honey and provide a home. Natural beehives generally have the same architecture, with honey stored in the upper section of the honeycomb. The lower rows are for pollen storage, cells for the workers and cells for the drones. At the very bottom are the queen cells.

    Locations

    • Some bees create exposed aerial cones, but most of them form their beehives inside of other structures, such as hollow trees, rock cavities, caves and hollow logs.

    Artificial Beehives

    • Artificial beehives have several main parts. The bottom board forms the bottom of the hive, the entrance and the exit. The brood box is where a queen lays her young, known as larva. Above that is the honey-storage section, foundation, wooden frame and plastic sheet for the bees to put their wax honeycombs. An inner and outer cover complete the hive.