The Basic Components of the Honey Bee Hive
The honey bee hive consists of several boxes that are named after their colony use versus simply the size.
The most common naming convention among beginning beekeepers is simply a brood box and a super. The brood box is the box where the queen lays her eggs (the “brood”) and the super box is where the remaining worker bees place the honey stores. So, you may also hear them called honey supers.
The more experience beekeepers tend to use the size and function in their names, so you may a “deep box” or “deep brood box”, which refers to the box as before where the queen lays her eggs.
Super boxes for the Langstroth hive come in 3 sizes:
- shallow ask known as
- medium also known as an Illinois Super
- or the no longer commonly use Wisconsin Super
Then we have top and bottom boards that also come in different variations:
Top boards with inner and outer covers, used mostly up north and Migratory Top boards more commonly used in Florida since we don’t have a huge temperature differential that causes condensation inside the hive.
Bottom boards can be solid or screened. The screened bottom board is known to be used in the control of the varroa destructor mite.
Then we have frames and sometimes we have foundation.
Want a unique and educational experience unlike anything you’ve done before?
Farmer Tim takes adults and kids into the heart of a beehive! Thousands of buzzing bees fly around you as Farmer Tim explains how these tiny, yet powerful creatures work and live. Bee jackets will be provided, all you need to bring is your sense of fun and adventure!
Learn the fascinating inner workings of the hive and why bees vital to the local and global ecosystem. You will also learn about Africanized bees, the different properties and uses for honey (and other beehive products) and how to help bees at home. We have found that these tours make great for a bonding experience. Bring your kids, your spouse, your best friend or your date!
The Beekeeping Discovery Tour is designed for gardeners, nature enthusiasts, adventurers, foodies and other non-beekeepers, who want to learn more about bees; but who don’t necessarily want to become beekeepers. Many who have attended the tour have become inspired and gone on to become beekeepers themselves, but the tour is not designed to teach you how to beekeep. If you are serious about learning to keep bees, we recommend you start by taking the Intro to Beekeeping class. Some students, in the past, have chosen to start with the tour because they want to experience the hands on element first. That’s okay by us, but if you only take one class, make it the Intro to Beekeeping class.
Gift certificates are available for download after payment for the Into the Hive | Bee Discovery Tour, if you want to give someone a unique experience!
This Discovery Tour is open to children (over the age of 8) and youth (13-17) with a paid adult ticket.
Time: Thurs-Sun times vary. Typically starting between 10am-12pm
Select your two (2) date preferences to allow for scheduling and we will do our best to accommodate your choices.
Tours require:
- appropriate attire, including closed toed shoes, socks, long pants. Cap or hat recommended
- a signed eWaiver here => https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefI...
- children under 17 to be accompanied by paid adult
- tours are limited to 4 people to make sure everyone gets to enjoy the full experience
Tours include:
- protective clothing, includes jacket with veil, gloves for use during tour
- equipment, including smoker, hive tool for use during tour
- bottled water
- REFUND Policy:
- Cancellations received prior to confirmation are eligible for a Full Refund.
- Cancellations received after confirmation, but prior to 48 hours prior to the confirmed tour will receive a 75% refund
- NO Refunds within 48 hours of a confirmed tour reservation.
- Refunds are at the full discretion of GreenView Aquaponics, LLC
- Rainchecks will be given in the event of inclement weather, which includes not only rain, but also winds over 25mph to allow Into the Hives to be rescheduled for a mutually convenient time.
- You may also transfer a ticket or gift certificate to another party in the same age range prior to the start of the tour. Transferred party must sign waiver.
Other options:
Learn more: How to Select a Bee Smoker
