UK beekeepers specializing in the use and sale of natural comb beehives.

What is a natural comb hive?

A natural comb hive is one in which the bees are allowed to construct their own natural brood nest free from the constraints imposed on them by pressed wax foundation.  The bees are free to construct the type of comb and cell sizes that they require.  They draw out all combs from scratch using pure virgin beeswax rather then remodelling old recycled wax foundation.  The two main types of hive are Horizontal Top Bar Hives (hTBH, Kenyan top bar hive, etc.) and Vertical Top Bar Hives (vTBH, Warre Hive, et al.)

Horizontal Top Bar Hive

The whole hive is on one level - so there is no lifting of heavy boxes - the bees work along the length of the hive as they expand.    This type of hive uses 'top bars' as comb supports rather than frames.   These top bars butt up close to one another so there is no passage of bees up between the top bars.  In the centre of each top bar the bees build a comb.  The comb is extended down in a vertical plane until there is only a 'bee space' gap around the comb.  Sometimes the comb will have one or two attachments to the side of the hive body.  Inspection starts at the back of the hive by gently prying up one of top bars known to be empty, to create space, then working along the hive towards the front.  Comb attachments to the hive body or to other combs should be gently cut with the hive tool before prying the bar loose and removing it.  

The Warre hive is a vertical top bar hive however its principles and management are a little different to that of a horizontal top bar hive.  The Warre hive is made up of boxes measuring 30x30x21cm on the inside.  Each box has 8 top bars, the top bars in a Warre hive allow bees to pass between them into other boxes.  As in the hTBH the bees are free to construct their own new virgin comb as the desire.  As the colony grows and expands new boxes are added from below.  This allows the bees to follow their natural instinct and build downwards, as they would do in a natural cavity.  Full boxes of honey are removed from the top only when the colony is able to spare them.  If a wax starter strip is used on each top bar then the combs will be removable (if needed) for inspection.  A bit of care will be needed, but combs can be cut free of their attachments and pulled out for inspection without too much difficulty. 

For more Warre hive galleries please click here.

Want to buy a Warre hive?  Click here to go to our online store.

 Within this website you'll find some beautiful pictures of honey bees living in natural comb hives such as Top Bar Hives and Warre Hives.  We have many thriving colonies in these types of hives all over the South East of Kent.  We hope you find the picture galleries and information sections interesting and informative. 

If you're interested in keeping bees in natural comb hives then visit our shop where we can supply you with all the equipment you need to start bee keeping the natural way.  Alternatively if you'd like to contact us you can do so by emailing us at mail@majorbeehives.co.uk