loads Beebox hives and equipment  carried on my rucksack

Welcome

This is a COVID beekeeping project that got out of control. Poly hives have inspired many YouTube videos, but very little is written about them. Artificial Intelligence is mostly hopeless (2025) as it does not cite the quality of its information. Very often, neither do I! But I try, and you know who to blame if I get it wrong.

I am not the sort of person who does things because that is what other people do. I prefer to experiment and seek better, hence I keep editing the site. I suspect many people approach beekeeping in a similar way to baking a cake. Follow received wisdom and that works for them. What if it does n’t?

Beebox hive amongst greenery

A bucolic Beebox hive

My struggle

It has taken me ten years to almost master using poly hives and plastic frames. Devotees vehemently attest that bees do well with both. Sometimes they do. Poly hives or beekeepers that use poly hives make winter losses almost unknown. Unfortunately, poly hives are not so marvellous, since they encourage early swarming. Don’t be fooled by the adage that space and a young queen will make a swarming difference, they may not. I throttle my colonies with an early preventive Demaree which keeps them together when there aren’t enough drones to do a split.

As regards plastic frames, the bees only reliably draw them in a nectar flow. Undrawn frames block expansion, although I think my latest waxing technique greatly increases acceptance, bees draw wax foundation at any time of year, so I use some of that.

I do not possess a car, hence my backpack pictures, I’m fortunate, I’ve time to walk.

rucksack full of frames

Plastic frames are tough.

Shifting 3 boxes and 10 frames

Carrying boxes is a breeze.

Poly hives can be stored outside all year round

They can be stored outside all year.

Pointing at something when at the peak of a hill in Edinburgh

I can see a BeeBox hive!”

Black plastic or wax foundation makes it easy to spot eggs

“I can see eggs!”

I’ll teach you all you need to know -whatever your hive type

If you’ve plenty of time, watch YouTube. It can only teach you so much.

If you are an experienced beekeeper you will spot my mistakes. If they are significant, please let me know.

I assume you know basic science

e.g. Pollination and insects.

If you fancy reading this site like a book, click on the navigation at the bottom of each page.
To learn piecemeal, dip into the Contents.

Some of my sources

Roger Patterson, Wally Shaw, David Cushman, Randy Oliver, Rusty Burlew, Prof Seeley, JD and BD Yates and Prof David Evans. Additionally, I have provided links to interesting research or summaries of research, but please bear in mind that science generally progresses from a body of evidence, not one study. I challenge standard beliefs whenever possible.

Strangely, the site does not display properly using Safari on a tablet in portrait view (June 2024). You are welcome to use my photos for education, but not for financial gain. Please credit and link them to my site.

Maybe keeping bees with plastic is “unnatural”

Kamon Reynolds explains how plastic foundation is suitable for bees and beekeepers. Possibly, its environmental credentials aren’t as bad as you suspect. Here are my reasons for using plastic.

Disclaimer

This site is provided for general interest, information, and guidance only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or any product. I make no guarantee regarding the accuracy or suitability for any purpose of the information on this site. No liability is accepted for any injury or loss arising out of its contents.

Start the course