Choosing the Right Apimaye Hive Set: A Guide for Beekeepers
Apimaye hive sets offer a unique advantage for beekeepers: superior insulation. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these hives can significantly enhance your beekeeping experience. But with different options available, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Let's break it down.
Key Considerations Before Buying
Before diving into the specifics of each hive set, consider these important factors:
- Winter Setup: Understanding your local climate and how you'll prepare your hive for winter is crucial.
- Physical Capabilities: Honey-filled supers can be heavy. Assess your ability to handle the weight.
Tip: Choose medium supers as a lighter option if lifting is a concern.
- Colony Management: Decide if you want to manage one or two colonies in a single hive.
Understanding Apimaye Hive Set Options
Apimaye offers two main hive sizes: 10-frame Ergo and 7-frame Nuc. Let's explore the different configurations available within each size:
Apimaye Ergo (10-frame):
- Ergo Plus Double Brood Box: Ideal for expansion but may require additional supers. You can purchase additional 10-frame supers directly from Apimaye.
- Ergo Plus Simplicity Honey and Brood: This versatile option includes division boards for managing multiple colonies within the same hive. The hive set comes with two division boards; an extra board for the last deep super can be purchased separately.
- Ergo Plus Honey & Brood: Great for beginners, this configuration offers a balanced setup of brood and honey supers.
Apimaye Nuc (7-frame):
- Lighter and Easier to Handle: The 7-frame Nuc is lighter and easier to handle.
- Requires Separate Purchase of Supers: This hive set does not come with supers, so you'll need to purchase them separately.
- Best for All Uses: The 7-frame Nuc is ideal for smaller colonies, starting a new colony, queen rearing, capturing swarms, or performing colony splits. Larger colonies can also be accommodated by simply purchasing Nuc supers to expand the hive capacity.
Additional Tips
- Always consider purchasing extra supers to accommodate your colony's growth.
- Insulated hives often lead to faster colony development.
- Choose the right frames and foundations specifically designed for your Apimaye hives.
Need More Guidance?
Join our Facebook group, "Apimaye Beekeepers", to connect with other beekeepers, share experiences, and get advice.
Still Have Questions?
Feel free to reach out to us directly at support@apimaye-usa.com.