beehive

A beehive is a structure that houses a honeybee colony. It can be a natural cavity in a tree or rock, or a purpose-built enclosure used by beekeepers. The hive provides a nest for brood, stores for honey and pollen, and a controlled environment that supports colony life and activity.

A typical hive is divided into brood space and honey storage. The brood chamber contains the combs where eggs hatch into larvae and then pupae. Above it are honey supers used to store nectar that becomes honey. Modern hives use movable frames with wax foundation to allow inspection and management, and several designs exist, including Langstroth, Warré, and top-bar hives.

A bee colony consists of one queen, many worker bees, and male drones. The queen lays eggs; workers perform tasks such as foraging, nursing, and hive maintenance; drones mate with queens from other colonies. The colony regulates temperature, food stores, and brood production. Swarming is a natural method for colonizing new sites when the nest becomes crowded or resources are abundant.

The life cycle from egg to adult takes about 21 days for workers, longer for drones and queens. Brood development and honey production are influenced by temperature and nectar flow. Bees regulate the brood nest and stores to cope with seasonal changes, often forming a winter cluster to conserve heat.

Beekeeping uses hives to harvest honey and other products, while also supporting crop pollination and biodiversity. Regular inspections help prevent pests and diseases and sustain productive colonies.