Hive & Housing

Hive Stand

Keeps the hive off the ground, dry and out of reach.

Before you open a hive

Sealed veil Smoker lit Allergy check 15 °C or warmer

Specification
Working height	250–450 mm to the bottom board
Load capacity	150 kg minimum, 250 kg preferred
Materials	Pressure-treated timber, cedar, galvanised steel
Leg barrier	Grease cups or oil moats on each leg
Footing	Concrete pavers or gravel, never bare soil
Footprint	Hive footprint plus 100 mm each side
Slope	Tilt hive forward 5–10 mm for drainage
Lifespan	8–15 years, treated timber

Seasonal Prep Hive & Housing

A hive stand does three jobs at once. It lifts the entrance above damp ground so the bottom board stays dry. It puts the colony at a height where you can work it without stooping. And it creates an air gap that discourages ground predators and makes it harder for a skunk to scratch at the entrance.

The stand should be sturdy enough for a full hive — well over 100 kg once supers are on — and wide enough that the hive does not overhang. A simple frame of pressure-treated timber on concrete blocks works; a pallet does not, because it holds moisture against the base.

At a glance

Working height250–450 mm

Minimum load150 kg

Best footingConcrete or gravel

Leg barrierOil cup or grease

Safety

A stand that collapses under a loaded hive is a genuine hazard. Check legs and joints at the start of each season, and never stack boxes higher than the stand was built to carry.

Using it well

Put each leg in an oil cup or grease band. Ants and skunks both stop there.
Keep the stand clear of long grass — it harbours pests and hides the entrance from you.
Set the stand slightly forward-sloping so rain runs off the landing board, not into the hive.
Leave room beside the stand to set boxes down while you work.

Compatibility

Hive types

Langstroth
Top-bar
Flow

Bees

European honey bee (Apis mellifera)

Educational reference only. Hive & Honey sells no equipment and takes no sponsorship. Specifications here describe typical products in this category; check the actual figures for the item you own or intend to buy. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local regulations.