Should you buy this Hive Kit from Vevor?

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About this video:This isa review of the Vevor 10 Grame Windowed Beehive Kit as well as the Vevor 10 Frame windowed super. If you are interested in purchasing this hive or super you can use the offer code below to save 10% on your purchase. Follopw the links below to visit the Vevor store on Amazon.
This offer expires on March16 at 11:59PM
10% off with Promo code: 10BEEBOX
Start date: February 16, 2023 12:00:00 AM PST End date: March 16, 2023 11:59:59 PM PDT
Product link: amzn.to/3xleRLF
10% off with Promo code: 10BEESUPER
Start date: February 16, 2023 12:00:00 AM PST End date: March 16, 2023 11:59:59 PM PDT
Product link: amzn.to/3xlY4rV
Acoustic Guitar 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
About this Channel:
I hope you enjoy beekeeping and this video. If you are interested in becoming a beekeeper or experience backyard beekeeping for yourself have a look at some of the videos on this beekeeping channel as well as videos from beekeeping creators I have listed below. This is my third season as a beekeeper and everything I have learned came from KZbin and mostly from the channels listed below.
Although this beekeeping channel is primarily about beekeeping I am also a quasi pepper who believes in becoming self-sufficient. With that in mind, I have started a garden, planted fruit trees, replaced the hedges in front of my house with blueberry bushes, and have recently built a chicken coop. In short, I will share a lot more than beekeeping on this channel.
A little about me:
I am a person who believes you are never to old to learn something. Be it beekeeping, farming, raising chickens, painting, filming and editing video, making wine, beer, bread, cheese, and other fermentation consumables, play guitar etc... If I see something I want to try I start it immediately. If there is one thing I could choose to pass along to my children this would be it. Never be afraid to try. My wife famously told me once that if you are not willing to be bad at something, you will never be good at it. That means I am bad at quite a few things.
A little about you:
If you are new to beekeeping or are interested in becoming a beekeeper this channel might be for you. In my beekeeping adventures I show everything from my beekeeping successes to my beekeeping failures. I hide nothing and am never afraid to admit to a mistake.
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My Mentors:
Vino Farm
/ @vinofarm
Frederick Dunn
/ htcsweod
Mike Barry
/ @mikebarrybees
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Channel Key words:
#beekeeping #flowhive #insects #prepping
A bit about my channel:
This channel is primarily about beekeeping or more specifically beekeeping 101 because I am just a beginning beekeeper and I figured the best way to learn beekeeping and to be a beekeeper was to buy a flow hive, sometimes spelled flowhive or a flow hive 2 which is sometimes known as a flowhive 2 and begin building by backyard apiary so I would have a place to keep bees. Now, backyard beekeeping is not the only thing I do. I consider myself to be urban farming as I also try to grow a sustainable and edible landscape. Backyard farming for me also includes keeping chicken and building other things in my shop that will help all of the birds, bees, insects, and other natural pollinators. I learn how to feed bees and chickens while showing you my day-to-day activities in my apiary, sometimes known as a bee yard. Some people consider me a prepper and yes there is a little truth to that. I do consider this a form of prepping and becoming self sufficient. Thank you for spending time with me learning about tap hives, flow hives, honeybees, and chickens.

[@JeffHorchoff]

Just finished watching, and after having done a video on the same product myself, we had the similar results, not a recommended purchase. Even though there are good ideas in mind, cedar wood, dovetail joints, wax covered boxes and foundations, observation window, to many issues with each and every one of them....other than the waxed part. Great review, loved the video. God's peace brother.

[@BugFarmerBees]

Hi Jeff. Yea, I watched yours after dropping mine and we experienced the same thing. The next day Vevor reached out to me and thanked me for an honest review and said they would work with their team to correct the issues. I told them if the windows weren't there it would be an acceptable hive. Anyway, I am going to permanently close those windows and use the hive even though I don't have any other 10 frame equipment. On another note can you tell me how wide the frame tank is on your honey line. I want to gift a new squeegee to your operation for this years harvest if I can find one that will fit. :-) I have been working to memorize your sign-off so I guarantee I will get it right this year :-) Take care friend.

[@maryjanebeatty6030]

A second video in a week! This hive is a beautiful piece of work. I think the they should have put some plexiglass or wire mesh in the viewing area, otherwise you’ll need to wear your bee suit or the sting o meter will be set off LOL. Thanks for showing us your puzzle skills LOL. Have a great Sunday :)

[@BugFarmerBees]

Hi MJB. It's a shame about the windows. Other wise the hive would provide years of service. As it is I just can't use it until I invest some time or money into it. Thanks for stopping in to have a look though. Take care.

[@ronnie5979]

In my opinion it's not a bad hive. As far as the windows not having plexiglass in them. I think it's more for seeing if your end frame is full or not without taking the lid off. And plexiglass is not that expensive if you wanted to put them in. No nails or screws is a bummer.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I did end up doing a follow up video where I added the plexi and made the hive usable. If I were Vevor I would open each box and toss in two pieces of plexi and re-tape the box. Thanks for stopping in to have a look.

[@PaulOliverBrock]

Bought this, I reckon I'm old but back in the day the bee hives didn't have plexiglass windows. Not an issue for me. Do wish it came with nails. Solid waxed wood/cedar is good with me. I'd give it 4 stars.

[@BugFarmerBees]

This years model actually comes with plexiglass. I have one on the table I will be unboxing and assembling soon. Overall it is a good hive. I currently have a colony in mine and they are as happy as bees on honey :-)

[@afterserviceadventurescana6554]

Good looking kit!

[@BugFarmerBees]

The hive itself is pretty nice. Well waxed and a solid build. The HUGE problem is the open window in the side. I have recently fixed my Vevor hive and will have a video showing how in an upcoming video. Thanks for stopping in to have a look and taking time to comment. Take care.

[@josephrawls]

You can see the the metal shining through the cracks in the telescoping cover. That has to allow some heat loss.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I agree. That is the first time I have ever seen anything like that. I don't kniw what to think about it. Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? I don't know but it is just one more oddity of this hive.

[@CastleHives]

With plexi, I'd say that would be a decent setup.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I agree. It wasn't as nice as the Bee Castle hive but it would have been acceptable if it only had some plexi in it. Maybe I'll review one of their non-windowed hives soon.

[@dumitrunarciss7494]

I just installed mine.... for the money is perfect. I bought more stuff from Vevor and they are the best for me.

[@BugFarmerBees]

The hive itself is made well. The observation window is a bad idea without adding plexiglass. It is a very inexpensive fix and the hive is totally usable.

[@jmom5735]

Thanks for the video. Vevor offers many products. Sadly, I had a bad experience I should share…. Ordered an extractor. When it came, I tested the motor and yeah! Worked! Gave a good review. Shame on me for not setting up completely. Come extraction day, go to add the legs: first leg, second leg… third leg..alas, no attachment point (cleat) for the leg! Too late! It’s extraction day! I used a milk crate for support - effective, not ideal. Moral: give whatever product a good look over! ❤🐝🐝 in Northern IL

[@BugFarmerBees]

I was really surprised to see what I consider an unfinished hive in the box. Add a couple a cheap pieces of plexiglass and the hive is a winner. Why cut corners on something so simple? Oh well. Live and learn.

[@KajunHomestead]

I purchased the vevor hives with out the windows , the boxes were solid wood and the bottom and top cover were solid plywood but they did not glue any joints on the two, so I had to add nails cause they were coming apart. Lucky I got them on a sale and didn't pay full price cause it would not be worth it. Also the frame bottoms some were shorter than others and the box joints were not all cut the same size. Was not to happy with them put I guess you get what you pay for. lol PS Mr. Eds didn't come with glass for windows either. I think the person who designed them is not a beekeeper.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I would love to try the Vevor hives without the windows. I think they might be solid hives for the price. I hope the reach out for a review of the solid body hives. I would love to review them.

[@reneallen6405]

I just watched Mr. Ed, (Jeff Horchef) do this exact VEVOR hive boxes and his was also missing the plexiglass. His also had dovetails that were not very precise and he had to force some. I'm wondering if you guys ended up with knock offs. My first hive last year was a VEVOR and it was solid wood and fit together perfectly. (It was not one with windows)

[@BugFarmerBees]

I am interested to see Mr. Ed's review. I'll pop over there in a minute to have a look. My hive did come from Vevor. My dovetails were ok but not as nice as those in the Bee astle hive I reviewed a couple of weeks ago. My biggest problem is the open windows. Why ship windowed beehives without plexi-glass? It doesn't make any sense to me. That said, I would happily use a standard Vevor hive without the windows. It seemed pretty solid although not as nice as the Bee Castle. Thanks for stopping in to have a look. I really appreciate you stopping in and dropping a comment. Take care.

[@abstract1dea]

I got one of those last year as well (no windows). It's just OK. Worth the little money I spent on it. The Mann Lake ones I got from my local supplier were better but not waxed. I'll be treating with Eco Wood and paint so it should last a while. I'll have to see if the Vevor lasts but I'm not holding my breath. They may serve as feeder shims. The Cypress ones I got from Fox Hound at Hive life were comparable price and look exceptional and don't have as many knots or imperfections as the cheaper ones but I guess you get what you pay for. I think from this point on, I'll be getting better quality. I'll try a deep from the Pura to see what they have been bragging about too. I live within driving distance from a few really good suppliers so I'm looking forward to a good year. I do like the dovetails, though. I wish they would all do that.

[@gallowaylights]

up date!! what is with the windows. is that how they planned it to work?

[@BugFarmerBees]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIWYmqWCYsirf8U

[@mikeshelton9051]

I have many of these heavy waxed, Chinese made beehives. They are not holding up as I would have hoped. They are wax coated with soft wax that comes off the wood. Because the wood is still partially waxed it can't be painted but left on its own with the wax coating gone in lots of places is destined to rot. I'm planning on getting my own wax dipping tank and will boil them in the correct wax and apply it correctly.

[@BugFarmerBees]

Hi Mike. Is the wax soaked into the wood at all? Is it possible to add more wax in the evening or in the winter while the bees are in the hive? The Vevor and the Bee Castle are my first experiences with waxed hives. Maybe I will install them in the bee yard and we can follow their progress over the next few years to see how they hols up. Thank you for stopping in to have a look and for taking the time to drop a comment. Also, thank you for the video idea. Take care.

[@mikeshelton9051]

@@BugFarmerBees I don't think the wax is soaked in at all. The wax used in these hives is too soft with too low a melting point. I'm hoping to use a dipping tank to boil this wax off and have the correct wax mixture soaked into the wood. I own these hives from three different sources.

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

Good Review, They seem to be sending these to everyone, they sent me one to A week ago to do a Review video and seem Ok, Only thing I didn't Like is it didn't come with the Plexi, if it did have the plexiglass or if it didn't even have that Window it would be an acceptable Hive, Good review 👍

[@BugFarmerBees]

I added plexi and made it usable. They just sent their extractor and it seems okay. The review will be forthcoming. Thanks for stopping in and dropping a comment. I really appreciate you.

[@damneighbor1566]

Maybe repurpose for a chicken condo.😊

[@BugFarmerBees]

Maybe a nesting place for a barn owl.

[@astapovich940]

Built mine yesterday. Came out perfect. Not one problem

[@BugFarmerBees]

Did yours ship with plexiglass? Maybe mine was just missing. The hive itself was okay, and I do plan on using it as soon as I fix the windows. I think I will purchase plexiglass and attach it on the inside of the window to solve the issue. I am happy yours turned out well and hope you raise prosperous hives. Thanks for stopping in to have a look at my video and for taking the time to comment. I hope to see you in future comments. Take care.

[@astapovich940]

@@BugFarmerBees it did not. I plan to seal myself. But everything went together smooth no problems. I pilot holed and stainless screwed n nailed all of it. My only concern is if the frame nails hold when pulled full of honey. Its my first hive to be honest.

[@jasonguerra3763]

I bought 6 last year one deep and one medium combo for a little over a hundred each and for the price they are great I’m gonna order more the only bad thing was having to paint them but for the price well worth it

[@BugFarmerBees]

Did you get the ones with the open windows? I just recently fixed my Vevor hive to make it usable and will have a video out soon. Thanks for stopping in to have a look and sharing your opinion. I really appreciate you taking the time to share the comment. I hope to see you in future comments. Take care.

[@rehmangusandapiary9024]

Hey Bug Farmer. Jeff Horcheff (Mr. Ed) did a similar video on the same hive with similar results. My suggestion to new beekeepers is to seek woodenware from a local bee supply store. I live in west central Arkansas and we have a large bee supply store that is local. This store's prices cannot be beat. Plus buying local benefits local.

[@BugFarmerBees]

That is a great idea. Unfortunately some of us live wayyyyy to far away from a local supplier and have to order online. My closest supplier is 2 hours north of my house. Holy crap! Light bulb just went off...... I should sell wood-ware and supplies to beekeepers in my area!!! Thanks for stopping in and thank you for the idea. Take care.

[@DaemonLlama76]

loving a bonus Bug Farmer video! Perhaps you could staple in some fly screen instead of plexiglass. It's a shame a major component was missing.

[@BugFarmerBees]

It was a shame. I really wanted to like it.

[@DaemonLlama76]

@@BugFarmerBees i watched Mr Ed's video too. He recommended avoiding this one as well. Im glad there are some youtubers out there with integrity that wont recommend a product that does not do what it says on the box. I stopped watching an archery channel when he would push the latest item as great, and then when the newest product came out he would point out all the faults in the earlier product.

[@DonaldRogersBaldEagle]

I saw the pictures, it never showed a glass. I would staple some clear Vinyl.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I have decided to just seal up the boxes permanently with epoxy and some brads. It will be a functional hive. Overall it won't be a bad solution but for a new beekeeper who purchased this hive without the ability to resolve the issue the hive would be a waste. Thanks for stopping in to have a look and taking the time to comment. Take care.

[@twotonenavy]

I'm buying my first hive in a couple weeks. Thanks for this review. How are the Bee Castle ones holding up? As of now, that's what I'm planning on ordering. Thanks again. I always enjoy your videos. 😁

[@BugFarmerBees]

The Bee Castle hive is exceptional. It is still on my bench but will be deployed this spring. My buddy purchased a Bee Castle hive and his bees are already in it and doing well.

[@twotonenavy]

@@BugFarmerBees Awesome! Thanks. I think it will be my go-to. Time to order before my girls arrive in early May! 😁

[@Amethyst1919]

I'm currently having a problem with Vevor... Ordered 2 hives, with 1 deep and 4 med each... same as I started with... Originally bought through a different seller, but the same hives... even the same photos... Vevor had the best deal this year... but the only sent one and showed the other as never being given to the shipper... Been going back and forth all month with them to either get my hive or get my money... I've only dealt with them once before with no problems, but this is infuriating...

[@BugFarmerBees]

Sorry you had trouble with Vevor. Even though I didn't like their hive setup I had a very good experience with the company itself. Vevor even reached out to me to thank me for my honest review and shared my concerns with their design team for upcoming versions of their hive. I hope things are being resolved and more importantly I hope your bees are happy and safe. Thank you for stopping in and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate you being out there and watching my videos. Tale care.

[@Amethyst1919]

@@BugFarmerBees The hives that I ordered are what my first 3 were... I didn't screw close enough to the top and bottom of each box so I had a slight warping issue that I'm waiting for it to be warm enough to swap out and fix... my fault on that one... otherwise they've been awesome...

[@davidlewis4179]

After watching you and Jeff's honest reviews of the Vevor hive. I can't see myself getting one of these for the only reason is it's a wax coated boxes. Especially when I have a local Amish builder that sells a double deep and double super setup for about the same price with Mann Lake frames. And your statement frames are all the same. Uh. No. I know another Amish beekeeper that makes his frames and boxes. His frames don't fit as well as the Mann Lake frames. But hey I didn't have to assemble the frames. But hey thanks for the honest review. Looking at the construction and seeing a lot of videos from south and east Asia I'm guessing that these hives are made from cut offs. Where short pieces of wood are glued together to make bigger pieces of wood. Just my guess. 4 years ago I bought a used powered 2 frame extractor. I'm still trying to figure out what brand it is. It looks a lot like a Vevor extractor. It's been a good extractor for me.

[@BugFarmerBees]

Hi David. I think you are spot on. As far as the frames go I wish I had access to Amish craftsmanship here. When I was young in Ohio I grew up in Amish country and their craftsmanship is second to none. Thanks for stopping in to have a look. I really appreciate your taking the time to share your opinion too. Take care.

[@davidlewis4179]

@@BugFarmerBees I stopped by the Amish guy that has the double deep and double super setup and he doesn't have the dried wood for hives this year. Oh well. There's always next year. I was in the area so it made sense for me to stop since he doesn't have a phone. Each community is different. Phones, no phones. Steel wheels, rubber wheels. The Canastota Amish community is between route 5 to the north and route 20 to the south. This is the area I live in. They all have a phone for their "business" and use rubber wheels on their buggies. Go south of route 20 to the Georgetown community and it's the complete opposite. Go east and you have no phones and I wasn't paying attention to their wheels yesterday. It's not uncommon for me to get a call from an Amish neighbor looking for a ride. Got a call this morning looking to see if I got an email from Acorn for a ups return label. Amish neighbor beekeeper got yellow foundation when he ordered black. Needs to send the yellow stuff back.

[@BrianCooper901]

Good honest review. That's odd that they didn't give you plexiglass. It looks like they didn't even have a recess to put the plexi into on the back side.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I honestly think it is a faulty design and they were given a deal on a bunch of faulty hives. That of course is just speculation. Anyway, thanks for stopping in to have a look. I appreciate you. Take care.

[@davidlaing7684]

What did the list of contents show in the instructions?

[@BugFarmerBees]

That is a great question and I should have addressed it in the video. The list of components does not show plexiglass as a feature/component of this hive. They are designed without the glass is all I can figure. It just doesn't make sense to me. Oh well. I'll nail the holes shut and viola, a usable hive. Thanks for stopping in David. I appreciate you taking the time to drop a comment. Take care.

[@davidlaing7684]

@@BugFarmerBees As they say “to bee or not for bees “.🤔

[@MasonB305]

Vevor out here sending out promo hives just to get ripped apart... Love it

[@BugFarmerBees]

It's sad the review went that way. I really wanted to like the hive. Just looking at it it is a pretty hive but it just isn't functional. I hope they address the issue in their next model.

[@BlanchardsBees]

Odd having the viewing windows on the long side and not the shorter side....?

[@BugFarmerBees]

In every windowed hive I have the windows are on the long side. They are a novelty and don't really serve a purpose. As a beekeeper we know you can't inspect a hive from the outside. The hives themselves were pretty solid, no worse than the seconds I usually but but the windows without plexiglass are a deal breaker.

[@BlanchardsBees]

@Bug Farmer didn't know that always thought they were on the back or front.

[@paulschaefer5241]

I recently saw another review of this hive. that person found that the construction of the actual boxes was as careful as the window on the super. It is not a hive I would reccommend. I do like the idae of dovetails and being dipped in wax is a plus. there are too many issues with it otherwise.

[@BugFarmerBees]

The hive was pretty by non-functional as it sits. I will need to seal the windows or add plexiglass to use it. Maybe it can be a swarm trap.

[@michaelfike7542]

Wood out of square and really no need for windows on the sides. Probably be a great kit if they would get it square and maybe put the windows in the back. Just watched MR Ed on the same kit.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I agree. Remove the windows and the kit is 100% usable. The dovetails were not as nice as the bee castle hives but they were acceptable. The windows ruin this hive.

[@Daddy_Dani111]

Can you apply both codes on one purchase to get 20% off??

[@BugFarmerBees]

I do not think that would be possible. My guess is they would have to be two different transactions. That said, watch the video before you buy. This hive has a window in the side of it for which VEVOR does not provide plexiglass.

[@Thehillgardens]

Vevor says they don't ship with plexiglass because they break in shipment

[@BugFarmerBees]

That's interesting. Amazon delivered the two 12"x 14" pieces I used to fix the hive in a bubble padded envelope and they made it to me just fine. Something to think about I guess. Thanks for sharing.

[@jcbethke1]

Mr.ed had exactly the same results with the missing plastic, looks like that’s vevors standard

[@BugFarmerBees]

A couple of people have said that and I watched his video and you are correct, he experienced the same thing as me. The hive is so close to being usable. It's a shame they didn't include a small piece of plexiglass and a few screws. If they had this would have been a much different review.

[@BarryBarrington_]

Great review, a nice cheap setup for a beginner who doesn't want to spend $300 or more on a hive or do a lot of carpentry. ( only some plexiglass and glue) I wish I had one!

[@BugFarmerBees]

If it is something you are interested in make sure to use the offer code in the description. It can save you 10% off the price. Thanks for taking time to drop a comment. Take care.

[@BarryBarrington_]

@@BugFarmerBees I would love to but ... I live on the edge of a small city and a hive must be at least 100 feet away from any neighbors .. so I'm thinking about camouflage ... putting 2 deep Langstroth boxes next to each other with a hole between them (like these one's windows) into a cabinet, so neighbors can't see it and it looks like a swarm of bees moved in there by themselves

[@noahriding5780]

The honey extractors by the same company have problems where when you try to make it spin they keep banging against the rim at the top. So I don't really much like that company.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I ha another comment about the extractor and the third leg not fitting. hmmm.

[@carlsledge3868]

There are no window plastic, Vevor's dovetails are not fitted very well and have to filed to fit and have mismatches of up to 3/32" from ends to sides, I bought 2 of the double deep double super kits both were bad fitting, many knots on edges that had broken out, one had a busted top because of the poop packaging and missing frame parts (frame parts are non standard and won't interchange with any US made parts) they were clearance sales ads, so basically returned junk that noone wanted, I never buy any Vevor stuff again it's all no to low quality junk. Only reason I kept and repaired what could be used was all my big hives were swarming a month early in mid February.

[@BugFarmerBees]

I found all of the same issues. I just purchased some plexiglass and will be installing windows to make the hive usable. As for the early swarm; my first one was yesterday. I did manage to catch them though. :-) Thank you for stopping in and having a look and taking time to drop a comment. Take care.

[@jrpurcell9533]

If you would have read the manual. You would have known all that.

[@BugFarmerBees]

It was easily fixed. I am actually using the hive today. 6.00 spent on 16" plexi-glass and it's as good as new.