3 Reasons I'm Keeping Bees in a Top Bar Hive | Backyard Beekeeping | Honey on the Homestead

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm so glad you've found a way to keep bees at home, and I wish you and your honey bees all the best going forward :)

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks so much!

[@tdalton1970]

This was my first year with top bar hive. I live in New Hampshire. Summers are shorter and winters are very cold. This summer has been hot, averaging 90-95 with humidity 85%+/-. The problem I have run into is the bees wax is so soft that the wood just pulled away from it. I make sure the bees wax is not attached to the sides of the hive and to the next ?frame?. This has helped. I also do my inspections right after the sun rises and only one hive per day. I did purchase a couple langstroth longs. It’s seems a nice combination of typical langstroth and horizontal (top bar) hive.

[@Locally_Raised]

I’m really curious about the Langston longs. So many people have told me they like them. I’ll have to give it a try at some point. We’ve been having a hot summer here in PA, too, but I haven’t dealt with any wax pulling away from the wood yet. Not sure why. Best of luck to you!

[@frankmatthews3755]

Hang in there. I think the top bar hive (because of it's simplicity) is beginning to gain some momentum. It will likely never overtake the Langstroth in popularity but that's ok. I along with many others are content with my top bar for the reasons you have stated and being in the smart minority. :-) Best wishes for your continued success with beekeeping and your KZbin channel. Remember, some of the best things in life are simple...

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks for the encouragement! It’s been fun to hear from people all over the world who love their top bar hives. I’m glad the internet gives us a place to build our own little communities 😊

[@JK-es9wu]

Great video .. I love topbar hives .. you are doing exactly what I did and for exactly the same reasons ... and it's so much fun especially when you let the bees do what they do best .. Watching them through the observation window is a bonus '' Best of luck. 😁😄😃

[@DavidKissinger-cm3lh]

i started with a top bar i built for less than $30.00 , i hear what you are saying about no "community", still, i would not have any other kind of hive. enjoyed your video, i am In PA. too. keep on truckin with your t.b. hive .

[@Locally_Raised]

It's good to hear from someone else in PA! I moved here last summer and was nervous about keeping a top bar here because the PA Bee Law didn't seem to be favorable towards them. Anyhow, I haven't had any inspections yet; I'm hoping it continues to be a non-issue.

[@DavidKissinger-cm3lh]

@@Locally_Raised hi, to be truthful i never bothered asking what they thot about it and probably never will. there's no reason i can think of why anyone would disapprove of t.b. hives. i didn't mention that my first hive did not make it through their first winter so i am at present building a swarm trap and have a good spot where 3 swarms have already been taken recently. hope i get one too, watching the bees was so relaxing, take care and good luck with your bees.

[@KingSteen]

Hi Marta! We have top bar hives here in Devonshire, England. Maybe you'll end up making bee buddies on here until you can find ones locally. All the best on your bee keeping journey! 😊

[@Locally_Raised]

I love how this video has brought me in contact with beekeepers from all over the world! Hello from the US. Thanks for watching as best wishes 😊

[@Rennyteam359]

I have been keeping bees now for 5 years. Started with 3 langstroth hives. Went thru the 2 year learning curve. Now raise my own new colonies to replace loses. Three years ago I built a Kenya hive during the winter. Bees love it. It took 2 years before bees completely filled it with comb but now it produces new colonies every year. My long hives seem to winter better than Lagstroth hives. Since then I have built 3 long hives that use langstroth deeps. 35 frames each. All produce well and yes they are so much easier to work with. Eventually I will replace all my hives with long hives.

[@Locally_Raised]

That's great! Since making this video, I've heard from a lot of people who love their horizontal Langstroth hives. I would definitely like to give that a try at some point. It's reassuring to hear that your horizontal hives do well over the winter. My first colony didn't make it through this past winter, but I've got a new colony and I'm hoping this is my year. All the best.

[@Rennyteam359]

@@Locally_Raised Treat for mites this month and give them a sugar board for the winter. They should do fine.

[@Locally_Raised]

@@Rennyteam359 Thanks!

[@marcoaurelio296]

I'm a lifetime Beekeeper from Argentina. Some time ago I found the TBH and I thought to migrate to that technology (my back claims for that 😁). Until now I couldn't get any experience. Your video gives me new hope to get involved. I'll tell you if I succeed next season (here the season begins in August/September). Today I have only 25 Hives. Don't worry about low production, it all right if you think about low investment with a TBH. Greetings!

[@Locally_Raised]

I’m so glad you’re feeling ready to get back to it! Unfortunately, I lost my first colony this past winter, but I’m trying again. I actually just installed a new colony this week (video will be posted tomorrow). Best of luck to you!

[@marcoaurelio296]

@@Locally_Raised Don't worry for your lost Colony. I'm "some kind of Beekeeping Teacher" as well, and always recommend to get at least 5 Hives (no more than 10 when you are a beginner). That's because it's normal to lose some colonies. And in that way you see many situations and learn faster. I wish the best for you! Please excuse if my English is not good enough. I'm Spanish speaker.

[@josephrawls]

I just found and subscribed to your channel

[@Locally_Raised]

I’m glad you found me! I actually just got another nuc of bees this week, so there should be more bee content soon.

[@MsMaggra]

Hi! So nice to watch this video! I've started my beekeeping just this year and decided to go with top bar beehive. I'm in Ireland and just recently we went for annual Irish Beekeeping Association meeting and there was nothing said about this type of beehive. It is not a complaint.. as I knew they aren'as popular as the other hives, but I totally understand your "loneliness" 😅 so far I find TBH working well for me, it is worth to mention that I live in small town and have this hive in my back garden, the fact that the inspection of the hive isn't as invasive like in other types helps a lot! Looking forward to see more of your videos! Greetings from Ireland!

[@Locally_Raised]

Hi there! I had no idea when I posted this video that I would get to hear from beekeepers all over the world who are using top bar hives. I love it :) Unfortunately, I lost my first colony of bees over the winter, but I've installed another colony and am tending them closely. I'm determined to see them through this winter and hopefully enjoy my first honey harvest next spring. Best of luck to you!

[@mannatuu]

Horizontal langstroth is the way to go . Just put a top shelf on to close it all up and that way you can also add a feeding board.

[@Locally_Raised]

Hopefully one of these days I’ll get to see one in person. At this point, I’ve only seen them online, but it seems like everyone who uses them really likes them.

[@germantrader10]

If you have back pain and its chronic yet no underlying issues it may be from your root canal if you had one or more. Watch root cause the docu. All the best from homesteaders in North Carolina

[@Locally_Raised]

I’ve never heard that before. I’ll look into it. Thanks!

[@rosinbum]

I started bee keeping with a top bar I built about 5 years ago. It was very rewarding having very little invested into keeping bees. I was able to capture bees in a swarm trap and install them into the top bar hive. I say all this to say the most rewarding part of this journey with bees was the first time I tasted the honey. Pure unprocessed foundation less comb honey without any sugar feeding or treatments was something to behold. I built another top bar hive and langstroth hive boxes and purchased the frames needed. I have used both foundation and foundation less and am able to keep bees with swarm traps or removals. Watching you start your journey brought back memories that are very sweet (pun intended). Best wishes for you and your family as you experience the life of a top bar bee keeper.

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks 😄I love that you captured a swarm; I've not had the patience to do that yet, but I hope I get the chance to try it at some point. I can't wait for that first taste of honey!

[@brendawydeven2934]

Just a tip. If you have a very warm dry room you can leave honey on bar. Gently cut capping and let one side drain out at a time. Then put bar and comb back in hive so they can re use it. Then they don't have to make another whole comb.

[@Locally_Raised]

I've not heard that; thank you!

[@wildabezet860]

Thanks for that information.

[@taralancaster3357]

(My wife's account) Nice video! I think the peak window is a fun idea! I also started beekeeping this year but did the layens style horizontal hive. I'm liking that so far. The guy that gave me my bees also had top bar hives. All that to say the alternative beekeeping community is growing, and we're out there!

[@Locally_Raised]

Thank you! I'm not familiar with the layens style hive--I'll have to look into that. I'm so glad for the online community that allows me to learn about these things.

[@glennjansen8502]

Thank you for the guide! Have a nice bee keeping year ❤

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks--same to you!

[@gillsmoke]

Oh I know a trick for helping the ladies draw more comb, when you harvest the honey save the wax and render it into blocks. Come spring cut shavings off and place them near the hive, the ladies will chew it up and use it to build comb with

[@Locally_Raised]

Awesome! That's new to me--thanks for sharing.

[@wildabezet860]

That’s good to know.

[@brendawydeven2934]

I have top bar hives in Wisconsin. Love them. I started with langstroth and hated it. I have a bad back too and love how easy top bar hives are.

[@Locally_Raised]

Agreed 😃

[@jonshannon3394]

Nice video. After a season of managing mostly horizontal and a couple Langstroth hives, I agree enthusiastically with your thoughts on avoiding back problems, being less disruptive to bees, etc. It's a wonderful way. Love getting into the horizontals, often without much ppe. I rarely pop the top on a Langstroth without it. You're also right about the economics... I've got 6 big layens hives, and I'm expanding this summer using top bars due to the simplicity and ease of building. No frames? Yes please. Your communication style is clear, approachable, and pleasing. Looking forward to following your journey and hope we get to hear from your carpenter husband too! Might be fun to hear about that first, "honey, I want to keep some bees," conversation. I know mine was interesting. Keep it up.

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks so much! It's great to hear from someone who has managed both styles of hives. Ha, you're right that it was an interesting conversations with my husband when I decided I want to do this. He was all for it initially, but was a little taken back when he realized I was going to need him to build things. 😆

[@magigale]

I started on a homemade top bar hive this year. I had been using a British National before. The bees have been so much calmer in the top bar hive. Still waiting to see how well they come through winter. No heavy lifting has been fantastic

[@Locally_Raised]

Me too; I'm nervous about the winter, because my bees haven't put away enough honey. I love the hive, though! You're right--the bees have been very chill during inspections.

[@guyhickson7332]

Great job and very informative! I’ve been wanting to get started in bee keeping and didn’t know about this type of hive. I think I might try this as well. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@Locally_Raised]

I'm glad you found it helpful! If you're curious to learn more, I recommend the book "The Barefoot Beekeeper" by Philip Chandler.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

Even a book on it at library. Local bee bigshot said they do not do well midwest…I hope he is wrong.

[@dwren4554]

Nice job building your hive. I’ve had bees in one for 3 years now primarily for the similar bad back issue. This year I built a long, horizontal, Langstroth and it solved many issues that I’ve encountered keeping top bar and Langstroth hives in the same yard. Good journeys with your bees and lifestyle.

[@Locally_Raised]

I've been hearing from a lot of people who love their horizontal Langstroths. I think that might need to be my next project. Thanks!

[@andreysednev8542]

Problem with horizontal langstroth hive for me is that bees don't have enough storage of honey for winter that is directly over them, in longer winter like Washington State, they need a lot of food. That's why I built another long box just for winter so I can double stack. My preference is layens hive, it has same beekeeping strategy as top bar and horizontal hives but frames are bigger and deeper.

[@AM-yi6qd]

Great video with some good points. I've had a topbar hive for over five years and one disadvantage I've found is that over time the bees connect the comb to the sides and base of the hive. Eventually it becomes impossible to inspect the hive, or even harvest honey as the top bar simply lifts off the comb, often flooding honey through the hive, creating angry bees and an aweful mess. For this reason I don't think I'd have a top bar again as inspections are now close to impossible and in Australia - where I'm from - Veroa Mite has just emerged. All the other advantages you discuss are very true.

[@Locally_Raised]

That's helpful to hear; I haven't had the hive long enough to experience all these issues yet. I'm curious if it will be a problem for me as well. I hate that the Veroa Mite is in Australia now, too! It's definitely an issue here. There are so many challenges in modern beekeeping.

[@wildabezet860]

I’ve seen videos about this problem. Bee keepers have their solutions. I think the first is to correct it before it becomes impossible. If it’s too big to correct, I think you just have to harvest it. I’m not a bee keeper, yet, so I hope I can find someone to help me along the way. Good luck.

[@wingdvm]

Excellent video. You have lots of worthy comments. I’m a senior with back issues. Had a top bar hive for over 15 years. Tried 2 langs but kept the top bar. House burned down in 2017 (Lilac Fire). Moved and have a Layens hive. Thinking of going back to top bar (frameless). Been advised not to put in observation window as strong tendency to have burr combing on the window. Someone commented on advantage of extra wax which I would like to pursue beeswax candles. Wishing you the best!

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks! I did have some issues with comb being attached to the observation window--you're right. It sounds like you've had a long bee-keeping journey. I just googled the Layens hive because I wasn't familiar with it; I can't believe how many different types of hives there are!

[@14hometeam]

Just curious.. Why are you considering going from Layens back to top bar? I am new to beekeeping and trying to decide which model to keep.

[@vmcshannon]

Thanks for the explanation of the hive Marta. I hope you are going to show us how you extract the honey when it’s time. 😊

[@Locally_Raised]

Will do! I think it will be next spring--I can't wait!

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

See above comment on how to easily let honey drip out, reserving the comb.

[@wildabezet860]

I loved this video. I’m a 77 year old woman and I’m trying to get a top bar hive up this spring. My reasons for this type hive are pretty much the same as yours. 😊 I have no experience, but I look forward to the journey.

[@Locally_Raised]

That’s exciting that you’re about to get started. I hope it goes well for you-best of luck!

[@timothymitchell8310]

Well said. I would like to see more bee related posts. Thank you.

[@Locally_Raised]

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you!

[@Jonathan-eb5zi]

Nice video! I'm curious to see what your next homesteading adventure looks like!

[@claythomas7982]

It's my understanding that the Top Bar Hive is advantageous to those of us senior citizens who have bad backs. The other type of hive the box can get extremely heavy once its full of honey. I have a top bar hive myself. First year, a bear tore up my hive and killed the bees, stole what honey was there. Second year, a critter by the name of the Small Hive Beetle infiltrated my hive in late June and desimated the hive. I don't pick up my bees this year '24 until March. I have no idea how long the hive will last this year. I understand there is no 'cure' to eliminate these mites, save a couple of well placed swifter pads on the top of the top bar section. We'll see. My hive has a viewing door to it, so I don't need to interrupt the bees that much to check progress or invasion.

[@Locally_Raised]

I can't believe you lost a colony to a bear--that's wild! I'm in a more suburban setting, so that's never been an issue for me. I love that observation for checking in on the bees without disturbing them. Best of luck with this year's colony.

[@claythomas7982]

I moved my hive to our other property across the street and placed plastic on the ground with diatomaceous earth on top of the plastic to interrupt the life cycle of beetle. I now have a full hive of bees and harvesting is on the calendar. I am a rookie too.

[@hardgrave2009]

Love the hive, I have a long hive which takes FD frames so close to a top bar in some ways. But Im looking at a top bar just to play with as i have 2 langstrof hives for my bulk honey, and the long hive is for looks and saves my back too.

[@Locally_Raised]

I'm really curious how the three compare. Let me know if you give it a try!

[@johanngrant]

Great advice on bee farming keep it up

[@Locally_Raised]

Thank you!

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

I bought first one from eBay, no legs…no hinges. $159 now $169?

[@Locally_Raised]

Nice! That sounds affordable.

[@orshaharorna.shahar8921]

Thank you for the video. I keep bees in Israel in Top bars. With time and experience I found that I didn't like the fresh wax breaking and switched to Top bar with frames that I build - standard size but simpler. At first I had a window, but I discovered that during periods of temperature differences between day and night, the window condenses water and creates mold inside the hive, so I gave it up.

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks for watching! I love knowing that there are top bar beekeepers all over the world. I've had several people tell me about issues with their observation windows, so it seems to be a common problem. I haven't had any issues yet, but I've not been keeping bees very long. Best of luck to you.

[@suzisaintjames]

I've never kept bees, but once you harvest honey, you'll have bees' wax and you can make your own foundations to give your bees a head start. Since you're making your own foundation, you decide how big you want to make them. Even langstrom hive owners use all sorts of foundations. Some only give frame only (no wax, no strings, just a frame) Some coat their frames with wax only (no foundation strings or wire). Some only add a piece of burr comb right in the middle. Some say never have a frame without wires or string to support the wax whilst handling your frames. Some make their own full frame foundations with bees' wax. Some only use plastic foundations. So don't limit you research to just top bar hives, because you are really studying the nature of bees and how bees react to different environments. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@stephanlehmann9080]

Hi Marta, nice video, I live near cologne/Germany, I've got 4 TBH'S for 4yrs as well, made nice expierence with them, built it by DIY, but the entrance for the bees are on left/right side, on center the have been confused to store the honey, the queen will stop lay eggs after 8-10 bars, I don't need any queen exluder, best decision I've made to keep bees, I have some frame hive, too. Hope to see more videos from you. Best regards.

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks! I'm glad it's been going well for you--you must really being enjoying this work if you've expanded to 4 hives. It's so cool to me that there are people are over the world keeping bees in various hive-styles. I have my entrances in the middle because I'm following Philip Chanlder's recommendation of having a follower board at each end so you can easily access the colony from either end. But that's just something I thought I'd try; I'm curious about the impact on where the bees store honey.

[@wildabezet860]

Great information.

[@thomasrape4616]

I like a horizontal langstroth hive, it gives the best of both worlds. One advantage of top bar hives you didn't mention is you produce more wax, an advantage for those that want to make products from the wax. I'm an old guy with a bad back and understand all too well about lifting heavy boxes. My long langs are a better fit for me because it does use langstroth frames which allow me to conserve my drawn comb and use an extractor to get the honey out. They also allow me to inspect my hives without tearing them apart. I just lift the cover boards on the area I want to look at, remove those frames I want to look at. You do what suits you, what fits you.

[@Locally_Raised]

I've heard good things about the horizontal langstroth. I've seen them online, but haven't seen one in person yet. I'd like to check it out! I haven't gotten to harvest anything from my hive yet, but I am looking forward to that wax--I'm thinking I'd like to make candles.

[@PaulyPaulPaul]

Sounds like topbar hives meet your requirements. Particularly if you just want honey for your own use. You'll need to do things that regular vertical hive users do, like varroa treatment, swarm control, requeening and potentially winter feeding, so there will always be beekeeping tasks involved, whether we use topbar or any other kind of hive. A lot of people go for vertical hives because the tools for vertical hive management are so easily available.

[@Locally_Raised]

Yes, the hive will still require the same basic maintenance as any hive. I've actually been checking their honey stores and doing some fall feeding because their supply is short, but I think I'll need to feed in the winter as well. Thanks!

[@claythomas7982]

I agree on the LACK OF COMMUNITY in the bee keeping hobby. The folks that have been in the practice are back offish and too busy to share, teach, or talk to rookies or backyard hobbyists.

[@Locally_Raised]

For me, it's just been difficult to find mentors who use the top bar hive because it's so uncommon in my area. Sorry that's been your experience, though.

[@danielmacias4226]

Señorita, yo pensé que Usted era la actriz Claire Danes😊. Se le parece mucho! Saludos desde Venezuela.

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks! It's always exciting to know that someone is watching from another country.

[@DudeOnTheRoad]

nice

[@Locally_Raised]

Thanks!

[@brendankosovich7656]

Very cool! Best of luck to you! I want to start beekeeping too. If you haven't heard of him already, definitely check out David Burns if you want to learn more about beekeeping; (he does Langstroth hives too though).

[@Locally_Raised]

Will do!

[@kitrobbo1696]

Hi Marta I am new to beekeeping and also 70 years old and vision impaired and ideal formula for bee keeping I have 2 TOPBAR hives which I built 1 of which is full an the newest hopefully install late winter early spring my question is I I noticed on your hive metal rings fitted to top bars to support comb is this working for you ❤ hot channel Keith from AUSTRALIA

[@Locally_Raised]

Hi Keith, good question: The metal rings worked well in terms of guiding the bees towards building straight comb. I've decided not to use them anymore, though, because they got in the way when it came time to cut the comb off the bar.

[@Denisemjohnson]

How many bars do you have in your hive? I’m trying to get an answer sea of how many I’ll need. It’s just my husband and myself so i’m thinking I don’t need a lot. Perhaps 20? Love your video. Thank you for sharing.❤

[@Locally_Raised]

It's common to have around 25-30. Keep in mind mind the number of bars you provide will be determined by the bee's needs for space (rather than how much honey you need). I use my follower boards to limit the size of the hive, and I try to make sure there's always 2-3 extra bars available to the bees for brood and for honey. I hope that helps! Best of luck to you.

[@pastorpedropereira2005]

Thanks. Wonderful explanation. Tell US how Many top bars we leave for our Queen not using excluder.

[@Locally_Raised]

Bars are added to the hive as your colony grows, so there isn't a set number, by I try to make sure the brood nest always has at least 2 extra bars with nothing on them, and I aim for 2 extra bars in the honey storage portion as well. The queen excluder isn't used because queens typically won't go past honey to lay eggs, so she tends to relegate herself to one portion of the hive for laying. You can find a lot more details on this approach in Philip Chanlder's book "Balanced Beekeeping." Hope that helps!

[@solarauthoritywindowfilm1263]

Read this book: Healing Back Pain by John E. Sarno. Helped me with unexplained back pain. All you have to do is read the book...nothing else. It's amazing.

[@Locally_Raised]

I'll be sure to check that out. Thank you!

[@specifiedspoons5370]

You should be careful about keeping bees so close to a crop field like that. Those plants aren't particularly helpful to the bees but anything sprayed on them will very easily end up in up in the honey.

[@Locally_Raised]

Yes, good call. I'm in an area surrounded by cornfields, and I've been worried about the impact of pesticides on my bees and my garden. I've noticed that when the farmer sprays, he skips the rows closest to my property, which is a courtesy I appreciate. But, of course, it's still in the area and part of our lives. Maybe I'll be able to find a more sheltered area for the hive in the future.

[@specifiedspoons5370]

@@Locally_Raised There's a channel here on youtube from a Russian guy called "Advoko MAKES" and he has an incredibly in depth video on how he keeps bees far in the secluded wilderness, only going out every so often to harvest honey from them. Obviously not everyone has access to unlimited swathes of siberian taiga but its definitely worth checking out. His english is good and he is very thorough in his explanations.

[@Locally_Raised]

@@specifiedspoons5370 That's awesome. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[@jkd0114]

Have him build you 4 more hives you’ll thank me later

[@Locally_Raised]

Ha! Love it.

[@jkd0114]

Very important you will make splits to control varroa, they will be resources. Sometimes we give the resources of a strong hive to a weaker one. Multiple hives will help you with the learning curve. Try putting your entrance on the end rather than in middle. If you fail keep trying! Good luck and listen to the bees!

[@jkd0114]

Did they live?