To a newcomer in the fascinating world of beekeeping, a standard hive might just look like a stack of simple wooden boxes. In the lexicon of a beekeeper, however, each of those boxes has a specific name, a distinct size, and a vital function. Understanding this terminology is the first step in graduating from a "bee enthusiast" to a knowledgeable "beekeeper."
Today, we're going to deconstruct the modern Langstroth hive—the most popular style in North America—to reveal the purpose behind each box.
The Core Concept: Hive Bodies vs. Supers
Broadly speaking, all the stackable boxes that constitute a beehive can be referred to as "hive components." In practice, however, we categorize them into two main types based on their function and location within the hive: the Brood Box and the Honey Super.
Think of a beehive as a vertical apartment building. The bottom floors are the living quarters, while any additional stories built on top serve as the pantry.
The Brood Box: The Heart and Nursery of the Colony
The brood box, also commonly called the "Hive Body" or a "Deep Box," is the core of the entire colony's existence and development.
-
Primary Function: This is the hive's nursery and living room. The queen bee lays all her eggs here, and the worker bees raise the developing young (collectively known as "brood"). This area also holds the essential food stores—pollen and honey—that the colony itself consumes to survive.
-
Size & Specs: The brood box is typically the largest and deepest box in the hive. In a standard Langstroth hive, this is called a "Deep," usually measuring inches deep. A strong, well-developed colony might occupy one or even two deep boxes for its main living area.
-
Location in the Hive: The brood box is always the bottom-most box (or boxes), resting directly on the bottom board. It is the central hub of all colony activity.
In short, the health of the brood box directly determines the survival and strength of the entire colony. A beekeeper's core management task is to ensure the brood box contains a healthy, productive queen and a thriving population of bees.
The Honey Super: The Pantry and Treasure Chest
The word "super" is derived from the Latin term for "above." As its name implies, a honey super is any box placed above the brood box.
-
Primary Function: The honey super is the colony's strategic food reserve. When nectar is abundant in the environment (a "nectar flow"), the bees will produce surplus honey beyond their own needs and store it in these boxes. The honey stored here is the treasure that the beekeeper eventually harvests.
-
Size & Specs: To make them easier for the beekeeper to handle, honey supers are typically shallower and lighter than brood boxes. Imagine lifting a deep box full of honey, which can weigh over 80 pounds (about 36 kg)! Supers come in more manageable sizes:
-
Medium Super: The most popular size for honey supers, measuring inches deep. It strikes a perfect balance between honey capacity and manageable weight.
-
Shallow Super: The lightest option, at inches deep, making it the easiest to lift even when completely full.
-
-
Location in the Hive: Any box stacked above the brood box is a super. As the nectar flow progresses, a beekeeper will add more supers, one on top of the other, often following the "7/10 Rule."
Conclusion: From Terminology to Practice
By understanding this basic terminology, you'll no longer be confused when reading beekeeping books, talking with fellow apiarists, or buying new equipment.
-
Brood Box / Deep: The big box on the bottom; this is the bees' home.
-
Honey Super (Medium/Shallow): The smaller boxes on top; this is the beekeeper's honey.
The next time you look at a beehive, you'll see more than just a stack of boxes. You'll see a clearly defined, functional, living community: a bustling "living area" on the bottom and a sweet, bountiful "pantry" on top. This is the very essence of modern beekeeping management.
