DIY BEEHIVE CONSTRUCTION

DIY Beehive Construction: Cost-Effective Designs for South Africa

This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.

Building your own beehives can reduce start-up costs and let you customise for your region and bee behaviour.

South African beekeepers often use local materials and simple tools to construct Langstroth or Top-Bar hives that last for years.

Popular Hive Types

Langstroth Hive

• Most common hive used in commercial beekeeping
• Uses removable frames and standard-sized boxes
• Easier to manage for inspections, honey extraction, and transport

Top-Bar Hive

• Simpler design with horizontal wooden bars instead of frames
• Popular for natural beekeeping or areas with limited resources
• Not ideal for large-scale honey production

Materials to Use

• Pine or saligna wood (readily available and affordable)
• Marine plywood (for roofs or lids)
• Galvanised nails or screws
• Exterior wood glue
• Corrugated sheeting or thatch for lids (for shade and rain protection)

Avoid treated wood that may contain chemicals harmful to bees.

Basic Langstroth Hive Components

1. Bottom board – raised off the ground for ventilation
2. Brood box – holds frames with brood and bees
3. Queen excluder (optional)
4. Super box(es) – for honey storage
5. Inner cover and outer lid – keeps out moisture and wind

Tools Needed

• Hand saw or circular saw
• Drill or screwdriver
• Measuring tape and square
• Hammer
• Paintbrush for sealing

Construction Tips

• Use templates or jigs to speed up repetitive cuts
• Paint outer surfaces with bee-safe exterior paint
• Drill ventilation holes with mesh covering to prevent beetles
• Add handles to boxes for easy lifting

Sizing (Langstroth Standard)

• Brood box: 510mm x 420mm x 245mm
• Super box: same footprint, but shallower
• Frame spacing: 35mm centre-to-centre

Top-Bar Hive Dimensions (Guide Only)

• Length: 900–1,200mm
• Width at top: 400–500mm
• Bar width: 32–35mm with guide ridge for wax strip

Where to Find Beehive Plans

• SABIO (South African Bee Industry Organisation) guides
• Online PDFs from local beekeeping forums
• YouTube tutorials using South African wood sizes

Final Thoughts

DIY beehives help beekeepers save money and learn practical skills.

Langstroth hives are recommended if you plan to scale, while top-bar hives are useful for smallholders and hobbyists.

Use local wood, weatherproof materials, and accurate measurements for best results.