Top bee space or bottom bee space?

[Honey badger]

Hello.
I’m looking to buy my first hive and am thinking of going with nationals as they are so standardised ( unless anyone has a wider option/ brand than this) but am curious about which one is better, top or bottom bee space or even if you can get hives with both?
Thank you.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hello.
I’m looking to buy my first hive and am thinking of going with nationals as they are so standardised ( unless anyone has a wider option/ brand than this) but am curious about which one is better, top or bottom bee space or even if you can get hives with both?
Thank you.

Nationals, as a standard, are bottom beespace so if you plump for top beespace you are immediately cornering yourself into a restricted market when it comes to second had/discounted equipment.
It makes little difference anyway apart from crown boards being simpler - it's all in the mind.

 

[ericbeaumont]

makes little difference

Yes, don't fret about the choice, Mr Badger. One slight advantage is that on TBS the box rim won't get glued with propolis to the ends of the top bars in the box below.

going with nationals

Better to spend time considering the box material, quality of construction, thermal efficiency, weight and longevity.

My money goes here: https://www.abelo.co.uk/beekeeping-category/national-hive/poly-hives-national/

 

[Honey badger]

Nationals, as a standard, are bottom beespace so if you plump for top beespace you are immediately cornering yourself into a restricted market when it comes to second had/discounted equipment.
It makes little difference anyway apart from crown boards being simpler - it's all in the mind.

That’s great to know then. Thank you

 

[Honey badger]

Yes, don't fret about the choice, Mr Badger. One slight advantage is that on TBS the box rim won't get glued with propolis to the ends of the top bars in the box below.


Better to spend time considering the box material, quality of construction, thermal efficiency, weight and longevity.

My money goes here: https://www.abelo.co.uk/beekeeping-category/national-hive/poly-hives-national/

Thank you Eric.
The Abel stuff looks great, it’s very pricey but I’d hope it lasts a lot longer than its wooden versions without any need to paint.
How does it work cleaning it at the bend of the year as I’ve seen people just blow torching wooden nationals?
Also do normal wooden frames fit it or abelos own?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

hope it lasts a lot longer than its wooden versions without any need to paint.

if you chose cedar, no need to paint, and as long as you don't abuse them, they will last forever, I know of boxes still being used that were made in the 1930's

 

[ericbeaumont]

Abel stuff looks great, it’s very pricey

Poly prices rocketed during or after the Covid/Ukraine war period, but wood price rises are even worse. Good thing about poly is that it's is repairable and tough and will outlast you and me. If you buy Abelo, stick with the 11-frame box and old-style roof package.

normal wooden frames

Yes. Abelo boxes (indeed all UK poly) take standard National DN/SN frames. Another Abelo plus is that the boxes need no dummy board, the false end wall usual in National boxes to ease removal of the first frame. Abelo allows for 11 frames plus about 5mm at both box ends, and levering the frames away from the wall is enough to give space to remove the first frame. Make sure to leave your frames butted really tight when an inspection is over, and then lever the block of them to equalise both end spaces.

blow torching wooden nationals

Unless you live in area with disease risk - check the NBU disease reports & maps - then annual scorching is not essential, though good practice. Poly can be scraped and bleached if you have concern as above or that, for example, CBPV virus is in your system.

Abel stuff looks great, it’s very pricey

Yes, it is well-designed and well-made, but bear in mind that though at your stage of the game the investment in kit is heavy, the price of real local honey is also high and you will in time be able to recoup that expense.