How are bee hives made?
Background Modern bee hives are based on the work of inventor L.L. Lanstroth, who desgned a bee hive with frames that bees would create honey comb in. The frames could be easily removed, inspected and the honey extracted. The empty frames could then be replaced for the bees to reuse. In the United States today, Langstroth-type hives are widely used by most commercial and hobbyist bee keepers. They are easily constructed from inexpensive wood and are very durable, usually lasting for decades. The Materials Bee hives are usually made of resinous softwoods, such as cypress or pine. These woods are easy to work, inexpensive and durable in outdoor weather. Galvanized nails and wood glue hold the hive together. Hives are often painted to increase their durability. The inside of a bee hive should never be painted, but left unfinished. The bees themselves will produce a material, called propolis, made from plant resins, to line the inside of the hive. Sheet metal and metal screening are someti
