Construction of Hives
Session 1
Agriculture Note AG1100
AG1100 Beekeeping and the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994
Construction of hives
Good beekeeping practices include regular inspections of brood and honey combs in all hives for honey bee diseases and pests. Proper inspections are impossible when hives do not have beeswax combs held within moveable frames.
The Act requires beekeepers to only keep hives that have easily and individually removable frames. Top bar hives may be kept, provided the combs can be individually removed from the hive for inspection without cutting or tearing.
In cases where hives don't contain moveable frames, the Act empowers DEDJTR apiary inspectors to order beekeepers to transfer the combs to moveable frames or destroy the bees.
The Act does not stipulate dimensions for hives and frames. However, almost all beekeepers in Victoria use the 8- or 10-frame Langstroth full-depth hive.
Please familiarise yourself with AG1100
Next
Back
tba