What makes Langstroth a great bee hive type for the UK?
Langstroth Hives are by far the most popular hives around the world. Here are five reasons we love them and use them ourselves.
- Bigger brood box
- Larger supers, better value
- Rectangular shape
- Easier to assemble and maintain
- Cheaper
Bigger Brood Box
Langstroth Hives have 10 frames which are 27% larger than BS4 National Hives. This means the queen can produce more bees before running out of room to lay, which is especially useful in spring when the brood nest is expanding rapidly. You’ll find Langstroth has a slightly reduced swarm tendency.
Larger Supers, Better Value
Larger supers mean you’ll need fewer. Typically, you might need two to four supers on a British National Hive but only two on a Langstroth Hive.
This means you need to buy fewer frames and foundation and spend less time making frames.
Clear Front and Back of the Hive
How often have you accidentally put a National Super on the wrong way round? Langstroth Hives have an obvious rectangular shape, so it’s easier to discern the front and the back.
This is a small touch, but it makes going through multiple hives mentally easier as you don't have the risk of putting the frame orientation the wrong way round.
Easier to Assemble
Langstroth hives are much easier to assemble, using only 4 pieces of wood instead of 8 needed for a National Hive.
It takes about half the time to assemble a Langstroth hive compared with a National Hive.
