A Summary - Using Poly hives
They are made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) 100–160 kg/m3 density EPS. 100 kg/m3 is three times denser than that used in packing. At 160 kg/m3, hives are less easily damaged by low-impact collisions; however, it makes hives heavier, and its stiffness makes it brittle.
Insulation brings benefits in the summer and winter. Colonies very rarely ever beard.
They reduce back strain.
Some hives are delivered flat-packed and require assembly. Others have boxes that are extruded in one piece. Most poly hives need painting to prevent damage from ultraviolet light. However, adding oxides to the polystyrene during manufacture greatly reduces solar damage. Read more here.
If handled carefully, they can avoid getting bruised. Many brands do not protect the edges of the walls. Eventually, these hives will be damaged when heavy boxes are cracked open.
Storage: They are best stored outside or in an aircraft hanger to prevent damage.
During the winter, the cluster forms against the walls or roof, reducing convective heat loss. The bees remain more active than those in wooden hives. Isolation starvation is extremely rare. If you want to trickle oxalic acid, the cluster may be invisible.
Damp is not a problem.
Ventilation is not required in almost all poly hives, even in winter.
In the spring, colonies in poly hives build up rapidly so that their development is 2 -3 weeks ahead of those in wooden hives. They swarm sooner.
Do not rot or crack.
Inspections require a different technique. The edge of the walls must not be used as a fulcrum to lever up frames.
Larger harvests. Poly hives should give you more honey if you are an ace beekeeper.
Long-lived. Last more than two decades. Okay, they do not outlive cedar hives, but may outlive standard wooden hives.
Cleaning is more involved than with wooden hives. Scrubbing or pressure hosing would damage them, and soaking in a washing soda solution takes time. This is the disadvantage of using poly hives; read more here.
Beebox National hives take ten frames. Wooden Nationals take eleven.
Polystyrene is easy to recycle into other plastics. This is starting to happen.
The thick wall can result in bees getting crushed. Spraying the walls with water almost negates this problem. Learn more.
Using poly hives