Elements of a Warré hive:

 

The Roof

The roof is a simple structure to keep the rain out and provide ventilation through the open eaves. Underneath the roof is the quilt.

 

The Quilt

The quilt is a special feature of the Warré hive. It greatly benefits the bees by helping maintain the warmth of the hive and absorbing the water vapor that colonies emit. The quilt is a smaller box (4 “ deep) filled with a non-toxic insulating and moisture absorbing material such as pine shavings.

The insulating material is retained by a nylon screen allowing air and water vapor to rise into the pine shavings. This material can be changed when needed without opening the hive to ensure continued dry conditions in the hive.

 

The Hive Box

Under the quilt are the hive boxes, which can vary in number depending on the season and the size of the colony. Each Warré box has inner dimensions of 12” x 12”, and 8 top bars. This helps guide the bees in choosing the anchor points for their comb.

The uppermost box is covered with a course cloth, to prevent the bees from using propolis to adhere the insulating quilt to the top box.

 

The Base

The base or bottom of the this hive contains a small opening allowing bees to enter and exit the hive. There is also a porch for alighting, and a movable pull-out board for cleaning.

On request, we offer a screened floor to facilitate mite control, also with a pull out board for cleaning and checking the hive.

 

The Observation Box

We also offer a Observation Box for sale using a modified Warré design. With a plexiglass window in each box, it allows viewing of the interior of the hive. Normally the window is covered by a sliding shutter of 1” cedar. This retains warmth and ensures a dark environment inside the hive.

The Hatitat Hive ~ Strictly for the Bees

The habitat hive was created at the request of our friends at Wild Birds Unlimited in Gardiner, Washington.   The idea was to create a honeybee hive that was optimal for the bees in every way, with no consideration to provide for harvest honey by the beekeeper.

The result is this aesthetic addition to your yard or garden.   It is designed to mimic a hollow tree — honeybee’s preferred nesting site in nature, complete with “spales” or wooden dowels arranged inside to which the bees can anchor the honeycomb.    The spale idea is borrowed from a Japanese beehive feature, and mimic the natural internal structure of a hollow tree.    It also features some of the climate control features of the Warré hive.   An insulating quilt at the top under a well ventilated gabled roof.   We added a second bee opening at the top, for bees to use as a throughway in the hive, and a porch below the main entrance at the bottom.

The habitat hive may well serve as a “seed hive” because of it’s design.   This means that it could become a source of swarms that seed the surrounding area with new bee colonies.   This would be a welcome and beneficial service, since there is no concern with honey harvest with use of the habitat hive.

  The habitat hive is for the bees, but bees still need a beekeeper to keep an eye on them.   In our climate here in the northwest it is often necessary to feed bees in the fall and spring to ensure a good overwintering and early build up.    So be prepared to get to know your bees and enjoy learning their many fascinating habits and industries.   It is a life long joy and education.