What’s better than surfing the web or watching Netflix? Having your very own observation bee hive of course! Whether you are a newbee or a long time veteran beekeeper an observation bee hive is the coolest addition to any home. Provided of course you put it in a room where your wife does not shoot you for putting it in the WRONG place. I would consult with her first and make sure it is in a place where it can please everyone. We put ours in our basement rec room / Beekeeping 101 classroom.
I first saw an observation beehive when I was about 10 years old in a family-owned general store. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. When I was told there was one bee that was bigger than all the others called the “queen bee”, that gave me even more motivation to keep watching until I could spot her. Hey, what can I say…….this was the time BEFORE video games and the internet. But even now having just installed our observation hive in the rec room, the rest of our family members and friends can’t resist spending several minutes just checking it out from time to time. Even some of our guests that have no real interest in bees find out that they really are in fact very interesting creatures, and can’t help themselves from watching the same as I did as a kid.
If you’ve ever thought of having one in your home I thought I’d give you some of the pros and cons to help you make a good choice if you decide to take the plunge. First the pros:
1. They are just plain cool, everyone else has fish – not you!
2. You can watch the bees without disturbing them
3. As a beekeeper, you can see if they are bringing in forage
4. You can observe comb construction
5. You can sharpen your queen spotting skills
6. By observing what is happening in the observation hive, you can get a good gauge on what your yard bees are doing as well
There are probably many more reasons that you can think of too. But I think you get the idea. But here are a few cons to be aware of too:
1. You’ll have to cut a hole in your wall or construct a window port entrance ( I chose the window port entrance for mine )
2. You will have to take it outside to do any maintenance
3. Most observation hives are too small to house a full-size colony so you’ll have to build your own if you want enough room to do it right (see my video, below )
4. They are a bit expensive unless you build your own
If you opt to build your own make sure you have a way to feed them if necessary and have a door to get easy access for maintenance. Use correct bee space 3/8” in between frames and install vents so you don’t get moisture build up.
Since keeping bees is an education in itself, you will find it to be a huge advantage in your learning curve. So if you’ve ever given thought to putting one in your home I hope these tips will help you make a good decision so that you too can enjoy beekeeping!
Make sure to watch the video below to learn more.
26 Comments
What do you do in the winter? Will they hibernate?
What about cold wether comig in the house.
Hi, Thats a great video and thanks for sharing it, do you have the dimensions for this project, bees are just amazing, i have only seen one other observation bee hive and is better than any TV show, thanks Rex.
Hi Gene.
I really like the observation hive you made. I especially like that it holds 15 frames, all the others I’ve seen are a lot smaller. Would you mind sharing where you got the plans. I build all my own hives, it’s not only that I’m cheap, but building my own hives allows me to save money in order to build more. I truly enjoy the hobby of beekeeping.
Any way, if you don’t mind sharing, I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
Stosh
Brilliant Idea, which I’ve shared to our FB page of the Western Australian Apiarist Society and will share it in our month newsletter too. I’d love to have one of these -just need to find someone to build one for me…
Kind regards,
Edda Emery
This is the dumbest Ideal I have ever seen – there selling a Fad to make money .In the video he said bee were collecting pollen in December – Really where did they when the Flores.
Shows what an idiot you are, there are plenty of plants that flower in the winter in milder zones, or when it’s a mild winter. Dandelions are one of them.
That`s a great idea, thanks
Love to learn more what else can I say it’s a beautiful thing honey bees
This is a WONDERFUL observation hive. Are there plans available for building it?
I have a shop teacher friend who’s willing to engage his students in making one for our pollinator conservation group if I can get him some plans.
Thanks for any info!
do you have plans for your hive ???
Does the honey the bees make go right into a jar?
excellent issues altogether, you just received a new reader. What might you suggest about your post that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?
Rather than using clear glass would red tinted glass be preferable? The literature I’m reading that argues that bees see red as black may make for a happier hive? Any thoughts on that idea?
I am interested in purchasing the plans for this observation hive. Have you found anything you would change since you have had it in working status?
Thank you for sharing and Blessings.
How do you treat for varroa in this type of observation hive? Thank you
I guess my comment is like several others, What a wonderful idea as I have only seen one and two frame observation hives before, are the plans available and how can they be obtained.
Thanks
Dennis
I loved your observation tower. I as many others would love to duplicate any suggestions
Very nice.
Thank you.
Joseph
Hi,
Very cool and helpful.
I am thinking about something similar and sure would appreciate comments.
What do you think of the idea of building a long box hive out of glass with aluminum frames? I am a retired expat living in rural northern Việt Nam. Access to good sound wood building materials is zilch and the quality of hives here is very very poor. My intention is to place the hive in an unused pig house: 18’x14′, concrete floor with 3’high walls topped with chain link fencing and a heavy palm leaf roof. Complete shade but direct access to my orchard.
All comments most appreciated.
Thanks
Keeping an indoor beehive is an excellent idea not just for educational purposes and observing their behaviour, but for experimenting with photography. My concern is in cold climates like we have in Canada, how will the bees react in winter? Will they be confused by having their beehive kept at an artificial temperature while it is freezing cold outside? Is their normal cycle interrupted by this setting?
Have been wanting an observation jive and now have the opportunity to install one in a new building. Where can I buy a prebuilt hive?
I am interested in one could I get plans to build one, I have been a beekeeper for 15 years
Hello,
I am opening an apiary supply store and a learning center here in Monticello, Florida in January. (GrannyKat’s Apiary supply & Bee learning Center). Ground breaking in a few weeks. Yay!
I like your observation hive and plan to have one in the classroom. Where did you purchase that?
How are your bees doing this year?
Kathy Gohlke
Did you build the observation hive , if so do you have the plans
Great info! Love the design of your observation hive! What are your recommendations for how long the entrance tube can be?
Your observation hive holds 15 medium frames which would equal 10 deeps, is that correct? If I construct one for deep frames if I make it for 9 frames in the same 3across pattern be sufficient for a full colony or should I add another maybe shallow row on the top. The plans for the Bantara hive is only 2 frames wide but taller than yours. I think a little shorter is probably easier to handle when it has to go outside for maintenance.