Which is the better beehive type in the UK; national or langstroth?
In the UK there's two popular types of beehives: National and Langstroth. Deciding which is better is a rather contested topic.
National bee hives advantages and disadvantages
The National beehive was developed in the 1920s in the UK and is the most common type of beehive in the UK.
Positives:
- Most common in the UK – Being the most used design in the UK makes it widely available and compatible with UK beekeeping equipment.
- Lighter Frames – The frames are smaller and lighter than Langstroth frames, making handling easier when inspecting.
- Easy to Move – The smaller, more compact design makes the boxes lighter overall compared to Langstroth.
- Top Bee Space – The design incorporates a top bee space, reducing the likelihood of squashed bees when adding boxes.
Negatives:
- Smaller Brood Box – Being smaller than Langstroth the Standard National hives can have limited space for Buckfast queens - effecting honey production and increasing the chance of swarming. Many UK beekeepers use an extended brood box (14x12) or double brood chambers. This can mean there are fewer boxes for honey.
- Very Uncommon Outside of the UK – Finding compatible equipment outside of the UK will be harder and reduced demand makes them more expensive.
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Hard to Build Yourself – The square insert design makes the boxes very hard to build yourself compared to the rectangular Langstroth.
Langstroth bee hives advantages and disadvantages
Positives:
- Larger Brood Box – Allows for bigger colonies and more honey production without the need for double brood boxes.
- Rectangular Design – The rectangular shape is more efficient for stacking and managing large colonies.
- Bottom Bee Space – The space below the frames provides better ventilation, reducing moisture buildup and mold issues.
Negatives:
- Heavier Boxes – Langstroth boxes can get very heavy to lift when full as they are larger than National boxes.
Which is better?
- For most UK Beekeepers or beekeepers worried about heavy lifting National beehive is often the better choice because of availability, familiarity, and compatibility with British beekeeping practices and the lighter build.
- For larger, more commercial or beekeepers looking to build their own boxes the Langstroth Beehive is preferred due to its larger brood chambers and efficiency.
