How to Create a Beehive From Scratch
Building your own beehive is one of the most rewarding backyard projects you can take on. You’ll learn craftsmanship, support local pollinators, and, if you choose, harvest your own honey down the road. Whether you’re a woodworker looking for a new challenge or a gardener hoping to attract more bees, here’s a practical step-by-step guide to get started.
1. Learn the Basics of Beehive Design
Before picking up your saw, it helps to understand the structure of a hive. Most modern beekeepers use a Langstroth hive, made up of stackable wooden boxes that hold removable frames. The main components are:
Bottom board: The hive’s floor and landing area.
Brood boxes: Where the queen lays eggs and the colony raises young bees.
Honey supers: Shallower boxes where bees store honey.
Frames and foundation: Wooden frames hold the comb the bees build.
Inner and outer covers: Insulate and protect the hive from weather.
This modular design makes it easy to inspect, clean, and expand your hive as your colony grows.
2. Gather Your Materials and Tools
You’ll need:
Untreated pine, cedar, or cypress boards (¾-inch thick)
Wood glue and exterior-grade screws or nails
Measuring tape, square, and saw (table saw or circular saw)
Drill, clamps, and sandpaper
Optional: beeswax foundation sheets, hive tool, and protective gear
Tip: Never use treated or painted wood on the inside of a hive—chemicals can harm your bees.
3. Build the Boxes
Each deep brood box measures roughly 19 ⅞" long × 16 ¼" wide × 9 ⅝" high. Cut the boards to size, then:
Create interlocking joints or simple butt joints at the corners.
Glue and screw the pieces together for durability.
Sand any rough edges to protect both bees and your hands.
Repeat for honey supers, which are shallower (around 6 ⅝" high).
4. Make the Frames
Each box holds 8–10 frames. Frames are narrow rectangular structures that hang inside the boxes and hold the beeswax or plastic foundation.
Cut top, bottom, and side bars from thin strips of wood.
Assemble them using nails or glue.
Insert a beeswax foundation sheet if you’d like to give your bees a starting point.
5. Assemble the Hive Stack
Stack your components in order:
Bottom board
One or two brood boxes
One or more honey supers
Inner cover
Outer cover (preferably with a weatherproof top)
Add an entrance reducer at the bottom to help control airflow and protect the hive from pests.
6. Choose the Right Location
Bees prefer sunny, sheltered spots away from heavy foot traffic. Ideally:
Morning sun exposure
Good drainage
Nearby access to flowers and clean water
Protection from strong winds
Keep the hive entrance facing southeast if possible—it helps the bees get an early start each day.
7. Install the Bees
You can order a package of bees or a nucleus colony (nuc) from a local apiary. Once they arrive:
Gently shake or pour the bees into the brood box.
Place the queen cage inside for a few days so the colony can accept her.
After a week, check that she’s released and laying eggs.
8. Maintain and Monitor
Inspect your hive every 7–10 days during warm months. Look for:
Fresh eggs and larvae (sign of a healthy queen)
Adequate honey and pollen stores
Signs of pests like mites or beetles
Space for expansion—add supers as needed
Avoid frequent or harsh disruptions; steady, gentle handling keeps bees calm.
9. Support Your Bees Naturally
Encourage strong colonies by planting native, pesticide-free flowers such as coneflower, bee balm, black-eyed Susan, and goldenrod. Provide a shallow water source with stones for perching, and avoid chemical sprays in your yard.
10. Keep Learning
Beekeeping is both art and science. Join a local beekeeping association, attend workshops, or follow Ohio State University Extension’s resources for region-specific advice. Each hive teaches something new every season.
Final Thought
Building a beehive from scratch connects you to nature in a tangible way—through wood, craftsmanship, and the hum of living pollinators. With patience, respect, and curiosity, you can create a thriving home for bees that benefits your garden and your community alike.
