What Type of Beehive Should I Buy? Poly Hives vs. Wooden Hives
When starting your beekeeping journey, one of the most important questions you’ll face is: “What type of beehive should I buy?” Among the most debated choices are poly hives and wooden hives. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, and selecting the right one depends on your specific needs as a beekeeper. In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of poly and wooden hives, helping you make an informed decision. Check out my video above which goes over some of these points in detail!
The Case for Wooden Hives
Wooden beehives are a timeless choice for beekeepers. They’re durable, versatile, and offer a classic look that many love. Hives can be made of cedar, pine or other local timbers and are created in a wide array of styles and formats.
Advantages of Wooden Hives
Durability and Longevity
High-quality wooden hives, especially those made from cedar, can last 30-40 years with proper care.
Some wooden components have lasted over 50 years in the right conditions.
Aesthetic Appeal
Wooden hives offer a natural, rustic charm that blends beautifully with the outdoor environment. Bees naturally make their home in tree cavities so wood is a material honey bees are familiar with!
Sustainability
Wood is a renewable and biodegradable material, making it an eco-friendly choice.
However, consider the environmental cost of harvesting and transporting wood and ensure you buy beehives from a company with relevant forestry accreditation.
Versatility
Wooden hives can be customised easily for specific beekeeping needs, such as creating nucleus colonies, queen castles, long hives or top bar hives.
They’re compatible with a wide range of accessories or can be easily adjusted to fit common accessories
Easy Sterilisation
Wooden hives can be scorched to eliminate diseases like European Foulbrood, ensuring long-term usability.
Standardisation
Wooden hives are generally built to a specific standard like the UK national or international Langstroth standards. This means boxes from different suppliers can be easily mixed and matched with each other.
Downsides of Wooden Hives
Heavy Weight: Fully loaded wooden hives can be challenging to lift and transport.
Higher Cost: While prices have become more competitive, wooden hives can still be more expensive than poly options although this seems to have levelled out now and in some case poly hives can be more expensive than wooden hives.
Poor Insulation: Wood doesn’t insulate as well as poly, which can impact overwintering and early spring colony build-up. It can also impact on the amount of honey the bees can collect and leave as a surplus for the beekeeper.
The Case for Poly Hives
Poly (polystyrene) hives have grown in popularity thanks to their lightweight design and excellent insulation properties. There is now a huge variety of poly beehives available on the market.
Advantages of Poly Hives
Lightweight Design
Poly hives are easy to lift and transport, even when full of honey and bees. The weight difference between poly and wood is remarkable. Perfect if you are struggling to lift heavy wooden boxes laden with honey!
Superior Insulation
The insulating properties of poly hives help colonies thrive during winter and boost spring build-up. The insulation value of poly hives is inversely proportionate to it's density. Poly hives with lower density are more fragile but have a higher insulation value due to the insulating quality of trapped air.
Affordability
Poly hives are often more budget-friendly, making them a popular choice for new beekeepers although this now changing and in some instances poly hives can actually be more expensive than wood. The cheapest hives now in the market are plastic moulded polyurethane hives like the Royal Hive or the Anel/Technoset hives.
Easy Repairs
Damage to poly hives can be patched using exterior-grade wood filler or polyurethane glue, like gorilla glue!
Variety
Poly hives come in a range of designs and sizes, offering flexibility for different apiary setups.
Downsides of Poly Hives
Shorter Lifespan: Poly hives may not last as long as wooden hives although it can still last up to 30-40 years if well maintained and painted to protect from UV rays!
Compatibility Issues: Accessories and components from different manufacturers may not always fit together.
Environmental Concerns: Made from petroleum-based plastic, poly hives raise sustainability questions although relatively easy to recycle.
Limited Modification Options: Unlike wood, poly hives are harder to customise.
How to Decide: Key Factors to Consider
1. Your Beekeeping Goals
Hobbyists: Poly hives may be more practical due to their affordability and ease of use.
Commercial Beekeepers: Wooden hives may be better for long-term durability and compatibility.
Aesthetic: This is an opinion that divides beekeepers. Some prefer poly. Some prefer wood.
2. Physical Capabilities
If heavy lifting is an issue, poly hives are significantly easier to handle.
3. Climate and Environment
In colder regions, the superior insulation of poly hives can make a big difference.
4. Budget
Poly hives are generally more cost-effective, especially for those just starting out but as above the gap between poly and wood is as close as it's ever been.
5. Sustainability Concerns
If eco-friendliness is a priority, wooden hives may be the better option.
My Personal Experience: Using Both Hive Types
In my beekeeping operation, I use a combination of wooden and poly hives. This balanced approach allows me to leverage the strengths of each type. For example:
Wooden hives for their durability and aesthetic appeal in the supers/brood boxes/roofs/floors.
Poly hives for lightweight mobility and insulation during colder months, especially important above the cluster where I use a poly Ashforth feeder.
This mix provides flexibility and ensures I have the right material at the right point within the beehive!
Choosing between poly and wooden hives ultimately comes down to your personal needs and priorities. Both options have their advantages, and there’s no definitive “winner.” Whether you choose one or decide to use both, the key is to create a thriving environment for your bees.
Still wondering “What type of beehive should I buy?” Feel free to reach out or explore more resources at www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk
If you've made up your mind which beehive to buy and are looking for a colony of bees to install within your beehive, our nucs are a perfect choice for beginners and professionals alike:
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