New Beehive Stands

Since I decided to add more bees to my apiary this year, I needed to create new hive stands. I wasn’t particularly fond of the cinder block design we hastily put together last year. Although it was durable, I didn’t like the fact that it provided ample hiding spots for critters right beneath the hive. So, I resolved to build new ones this year, especially since I’ll be managing two hives.

I came across a fantastic video from The Keeper’s Hive that inspired me, so I chose to follow their model. The construction was straightforward and resulted in very sturdy stands. It took me about half a day to complete both, and then an extra hour or two for painting. While the paint might not have been necessary, I felt it would help prolong their lifespan. I opted for outdoor paint with primer.

I made some adjustments to their design, making my stands a bit larger. They stand at 16 inches in height, as we have skunks in the area, and I wanted the extra height to protect the bees. Additionally, I widened the stands to 19 inches to accommodate a 1″ x 2″ support on each side, which prevents the hive from shifting side to side and also serves to hold the bee cam in front of the entrance. I’m really pleased with how the stands turned out, and they look quite appealing too.

My husband prepared a fresh patch of level ground for them. He then applied three layers of fabric followed by a heavy layer of gray breeze. I hope this will prevent weeds from growing for an extended period.