A modified design for Western honeybees
Western honeybees (Apis mellifera) are naturally about 20% larger than the Japanese honey bee (Apis cerana japonica). So we have increased the capacity of our pile boxes, so the:
• colonies have enough space as they grow
• hives remain stable and not over high
• additional top boxes are easy to manage
Extra features we add (and what they do)
1. Feeder box for swarms
A feeder box sits on top of the stack and provides a quick sugar feed for newly captured swarms. That extra energy helps a founding swarm create the wax used to draw comb and settle in during their first few weeks, especially useful when the swarm is hived late in the bee year.
2. Hive entrance adapters
Adjustable entrances let us manage to reduce robbing risk, improve ventilation, and heat loss in cold seasons.
3. Cut-comb management techniques
It is possible to create "cut-comb" (comb honey). This is clean, well-capped comb where the comb has been used exclusively for honey storage. Conditions where the brood/honey are spatially separated are created by adding an empty box onto the top of the hive and moving the duck board to this. There are no queen excluders, but the bees build up comb into the new box.
Low Intervention Beekeeping
The Japanese pile hive’s frameless nature ensures bees continue to create comb exactly as they wish. Because honey is stored by bees at the top of the hive, the bees extend the existing honey comb upwards and into the top box. To create cut comb, a bee colony needs to be strong and vibrant and there needs to be ample forage from which to create the honey.
Advanced keekeeper (artificial) hive manipulations are not in a pile box hive. Leading researcher, T D Seeley advocates against many of these comb manipulations designed to increase honey storage and worker bee numbers. The nature based beekeeping he performs himself minimises intervention to once a year, to remove excess honey, and so promote honey bee wellbeing and health.
What hosts can expect (benefits & reassurance)
• Low visual impact: neat wooden stacks, no exposed frames or machinery.
• Hands-off honey options: we can remove a top honey box for extraction or provide cut-comb pieces — minimal disturbance.
• Swarm capture for local genetics: trap/bait boxes help bring in local bees adapted to the area, which can improve long-term colony survival.
• Safety & control: entrance adapters and trained management reduce the chance of stray bees in your home spaces.
• Education & produce: hosts often receive a share of comb or honey and a short orientation about safely co-existing with their hive. For guests and neighbours, comb honey is a great conversation piece.
FAQ
Will the bees swarm more because of this hive?
All colonies may swarm as part of their natural cycle. Our approach encourages capturing natural swarms into bait boxes and working with the colony’s behaviour rather than forcing splits — overall it’s designed to manage swarming in a low-stress way.
How noisy are these hives? Will the bees bother my neighbours?
Pile hives are quiet by design. Careful siting (out of direct lines to doors/windows) will minimise flights and foraging traffic near other homes.
Do you use treatments (varroa, medicines)?
No, we follow nature-based principles that prioritise colony resilience and local adaptation; treatment decisions are made transparently and in discussion with the host, balancing bee health with the ‘natural’ management philosophy.
Can I get honey/comb from my hive?
Yes — hosts commonly receive top-box honey and cut-comb pieces when there is sufficient your hive. Comb honey is produced with simple, well-documented techniques and is a lovely product to share or sell.
