Top Bar Beekeeping

Posted by Steff on January 12, 2013 at 10:09am

I live in the Auckland area and have been interested in Top Bar Hives for a while. I'd love to start keeping bees but before I do that I'd like to find a mentor who has experience with TBH beekeeping who can offer advice and support. Do any of you fit that description or know where I might be able to look to for help?

You need to be a member of ooooby3 to add comments!

Join ooooby3

Tags: TBH, beekeeping, bees, natural beekeeping, top bar hive
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Janet Luke April 30, 2013 at 5:37am
    Hi Steph, I have three tbh and have kept them for around 5 years. I love them, find them easy to manage ( I have had no previous experience) and have no difficulty inspecting for disease. I don't have frames just the top bar providing the upper frame. Due to demand I will be running a tbh course in Spring. This will cover all aspects of tbh keeping. May even have some nucs for sale. Keep an eye on my website green urban living for dates or I will announce dates on my fortnightly news letter. Don't be put off by the perceived negativity surrounding these hives Steph , you may find they suit you, your bees and your style of beekeeping perfectly.
    Cheere, Janet
  • Gary Brown February 24, 2013 at 6:07am

    Hi Steph

    my advice would be to attend the Auckland Bee club meetings ( there is one coming up on March 9 ), they have a TBH on site and you can get a good look at it and see how things operate. IMHO as a begining beekeeper, a TBH is a lot harder to manage ( this may cause some debate here ) and there is no evidence that they are a more " natural " hive. I had planned to be a Warre hive keeper, its a hybrid TBH , but after attending a couple of ABC meetings decided that a Langstroth hive is simpler for me and would make no difference to the bees. Which ever type you decide to use you'll have a lot of fun and all your friends will think you're ever so brave ! Good luck and see you at the club.

  • Ricardo Oscar Marques January 17, 2013 at 1:20pm

    I have a friend who lives in Sandriganm

    He is called MArcello Gardi, he is in oooby but hardly comes on line. PErhaps as a woman you have more luck than me, however, if you cannot contact him here, Ill give you his number.

    Regards

  • Grant January 15, 2013 at 11:35pm

    We've got loads of members from around Auckland using TBH, who will be able to give you pointers and maybe you will also find a mentor for your area. Try http://www.nzbees.net/forum/threads/how-do-i-get-started-advice-for... as a starting point.

  • Rachel January 12, 2013 at 10:21am

    Hi Steff,

    I too am a novice but have had a topbar hive for one year and can give you a few pointers perhaps, I live in kingsland, where are you? perhaps better to email me rachel.lovelock@gmail.com

This reply was deleted.