Social housing

My beehives aren't pretty. In fact they are reminiscent of the high-rise flats built for the workers in communist Europe. Joyless edifices may be, but right now around 10,000 bees in each hive call it home.

I have just these two hives at the moment, and as you can see, each consists of three boxes and a metal roof to keep the rain off. Underneath the roof, but not visible is board called a crown board, which helps to keep the hive warm. The bottom box rests on a wooden base with a wire mesh floor, which keeps out unwelcome visitors but allows air to freely circulate. The hives are propped up on bricks to keep them clear of the ground.

The bees get in and out of the hive through an entrance at the bottom of the hive. You can just make this out on the bottom right-hand side of the hive on the left. Right now the entrance is very small to keep the mice out!