Which Way Should My Beehive Frames Go?

Which Way Should My Beehive Frames Go - Warm Way Or Cold Way?

Beekeeping is a fascinating hobby that requires making many important decisions. One of the key choices you'll need to make as a beekeeper is how to orientate the frames in your beehive. Should they run parallel to the entrance (the "warm way") or perpendicular to it (the "cold way")? This age-old debate has been discussed and debated by beekeepers for generations, with passionate advocates on both sides. So, which way should my beehive frames go? Let's find out...

In this in-depth blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of the warm way versus the cold way frame orientation, and share the perspective of an experienced beekeeper on which method they prefer and why. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of this important topic so you can make an informed decision that works best for your own beekeeping operation. As always in beekeeping, there is no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to personal preference and in this instance, apiary set up.

The Warm Way vs. The Cold Way Explained

The terms "warm way" and "cold way" refer to the orientation of the frames inside a beehive in relation to the entrance. It relates to the amount of air that can get into the beehive and penetrate in between the frames from the entrance. It is simply put, a way of describing the relationship between the frame orientation and the entrance. In a standard National beehive, you have the flexibility to position the frames in either direction:

Warm Way: The frames are positioned parallel to the entrance, running from the front to the back of the hive.

Cold Way: The frames are positioned perpendicular to the entrance, running from side to side of the hive.

The rationale behind these terms is that the "warm way" orientation is thought to better facilitate the bees' natural airflow and temperature regulation within the hive. The "cold way" orientation, on the other hand, is believed to make it more difficult for the bees to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity levels.

However, as we'll explore further, the actual impact of frame orientation on the bees' well-being is a topic of debate among beekeepers. Many argue that the bees themselves don't seem to have a strong preference, and will thrive regardless of how the frames are positioned.

The Beekeeper's Perspective: Why I Prefer the Warm Way

Beekeeper Laurence Edwards of Black Mountain Honey shares his personal take on the warm way versus cold way frame orientation debate. The vast majority of his 150+ beehives are set up in the warm way configuration.

"My take on this is very very simple - I don't think the bees care and do what you want to make it easier for you as a beekeeper to inspect your bees. And my personal preference, probably because I do a bit on video, is to inspect from behind. So all of the hives you see around here, they're all set up in the warm way."

Easier Inspections from Behind the Hive

As Laurence mentioned, he prefers to inspect his beehives from the back, rather than the front. This allows him to avoid having to twist and contort his body in order to access the frames. With the warm way orientation, he can simply walk up behind the hive, remove the outer cover, and start pulling out frames for inspection.

In contrast, the cold way orientation would force Laurence to approach the hive from the side, which in terms of effort and straining would be the same, but for me its harder to film like this and it dictates a different apiary set up. No right or wrong answers here. All personal preference!

Easier Manoeuvring on Pallet Setups

Another factor that influences Laurence's preference for the warm way is the layout of his apiaries. Many of his hives are set up on pallets, with multiple colonies positioned side-by-side. In these instances, having the frames run parallel to the entrance allows for easier access and inspection from the back, even when the hive entrances are facing different directions.

In these more complex pallet setups, Laurence finds it easier to simply rotate the hives to the cold way orientation when necessary, rather than trying to force all of them into the warm way configuration. The national hive is great in that you can turn the boxes 90 degrees without impacting where the entrance is. You cannot do this on a Langstroth hive.

Minimising Physical Strain

As an experienced beekeeper who manages a large number of colonies, Laurence has learned that minimising physical strain and discomfort is an important consideration. The warm way orientation allows him to inspect his hives with a straight back and without having to twist or contort his body, which he finds much more comfortable and sustainable over the long term.

The movement allows for a straight posture and easier handling. It's not about declaring one method definitively best, but explaining the cold way and warm way, with a preference for the warm way 95% of the time.

The Bees Don't Seem to Care

One of the key points that Laurence makes in his video is that, in his experience, the bees themselves don't appear to have a strong preference for either the warm way or cold way frame orientation. He's observed wild hives in nature that utilise both configurations, and his own colonies seem to thrive regardless of how the frames are positioned.

"My take on it is the bees are not fussed. You look at natural hives in the wild, some of them are the cold way, some of them in the warm way, some of them are 45 degrees, some of them are all over the place. They fit the cavity and they do what works best for them."

This aligns with the perspective of many other experienced beekeepers, who argue that the bees are primarily concerned with having a suitable cavity to call home, and will adapt to whatever orientation the beekeeper provides. As long as the frames are properly spaced and the colony has access to adequate resources, they will get on with the business of building comb, raising brood, and producing honey.

Potential Impacts on Airflow and Temperature

That said, there are some beekeepers who believe that frame orientation can have a meaningful impact on the bees' ability to regulate the temperature and humidity within the hive. The argument is that the warm way orientation may facilitate better airflow, allowing the bees to more efficiently ventilate the hive and maintain the ideal conditions.

Conversely, the cold way orientation is thought to create "dead air" pockets that could make it harder for the bees to circulate air and control the climate. This could potentially lead to issues like excessive moisture build-up or difficulty in keeping the brood nest warm during cooler weather.

However, the research on this topic is inconclusive, and many experienced beekeepers report healthy, productive colonies regardless of frame orientation. Factors like hive design, insulation, and the bees' own thermoregulatory behaviours likely play a much bigger role in maintaining the ideal hive environment.

Choosing What Works Best for You

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use the warm way or cold way frame orientation in your beehives comes down to your personal preferences and the specific needs of your operation. As Laurence emphasises, there is no universally "best" approach - it's about finding what works best for you as the beekeeper.

If, like Laurence, you prefer to inspect your hives from behind and want to minimise physical strain, the warm way orientation may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you find it easier to work the hives from the side, the cold way could be more suitable.

Other factors to consider include the layout of your apiary, the design of your hives, and any local environmental conditions that may impact airflow and temperature regulation. Experimenting with both configurations and observing the results in your own colonies can also help you determine the optimal approach.

Regardless of which way you choose, the most important thing is to set up your beehives in a way that allows you to effectively manage and care for your bees. With a little trial and error, you'll be able to find the frame orientation that works best for you and your apiary.