Preparing Your First Hive

Setting the foundation for a healthy new colony

FIELD GUIDE

NB-002

Version 1.1 | 2024

A solid, draft-free home in the right spot is the best gift you can give your bees. This guide helps you get the site and structure ready.

Assembling the Hive

Check that all woodwork is snug and square to keep the heat in. If you paint the exterior, do it weeks early so the solvent smells fully disappear.

Essential Components

Stack the floor, brood box, and crown board. Ensure frames are snug and the wax foundation is perfectly flat.

From Tristan's Notebook

••• FIELD NOTES •••

I always tilt my hives slightly forward; it stops driving rain from pooling on the floor.

Hive Assembly ☐ Hive stand positioned and level ☐ Floor securely fitted ☐ Brood box assembled correctly ☐ Frames assembled ☐ Foundation fitted securely ☐ Crownboard fitted ☐ Roof fitted correctly

Hive Location ☐ Hive faces a suitable direction (ideally south-east) ☐ Flight path is clear ☐ Hive is sheltered from prevailing winds ☐ Good drainage beneath the stand ☐ Safe distance from public paths and neighbours

Equipment Ready ☐ Bee suit checked ☐ Gloves available ☐ Hive tool packed ☐ Smoker assembled ☐ Smoker fuel prepared ☐ Bee brush ready

Before the Bees Arrive ☐ Feeder assembled (if required) ☐ Sugar syrup prepared (if required) ☐ Water source available nearby ☐ Vehicle and travel arrangements confirmed ☐ Apiary tidy and free from hazards

Final Pre-Arrival Checklist

Good to Know

Morning sun helps bees wake up and start foraging earlier. Remember, a full hive can weigh 40kg, so ensure your stand won't sink into soft garden soil over time.

Apiary Takeaways

Taking the time to level your stand and secure your joints now means you won't have to disturb the bees with repairs later. A stable, well-oriented hive is easier for you to manage and more comfortable for them to defend against the unpredictable Norfolk weather.

Context

Build

Stage

Novice

Span

45 Mins