Introduction 1

Part I: The Buzz on Beehives 7

Chapter 1: Getting Sweet on Building Your Own Beehives 9

Chapter 2: Comb Sweet Comb: Beehive Basics 21

Chapter 3: Gathering Basic Tools and Materials 35

Chapter 4: Fine-Tuning Your Carpentry Skills 55

Part II: The World’s Most Popular Beehive Designs 67

Chapter 5: The Kenya Top Bar Hive 69

Chapter 6: The Five-Frame Nuc Hive 83

Chapter 7: The Four-Frame Observation Hive 97

Chapter 8: The Warré Hive 109

Chapter 9: The British National Hive 123

Chapter 10: The Langstroth Hive 145

Part III: Sweet Beehive Accessories 165

Chapter 11: The Frame Jig 167

Chapter 12: The Double Screened Inner Cover 173

Chapter 13: The Elevated Hive Stand 183

Chapter 14: The IPM Screened Bottom Board 189

Chapter 15: The Hive-Top Feeder 197

Chapter 16: The Solar Wax Melter 207

Chapter 17: Langstroth Frames 217

Part IV: The Part of Tens 229

Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Tips for Extending the Life of Your Equipment 231

Chapter 19: Ten (Or So) Ways to Trick Out Your Hives 239

Chapter 20: Ten Fun Facts about Beehives 249

Index 255