Understand your hive inside and out.
£29
Beehives aren’t just boxes. Every component has a purpose, and understanding how it all fits together makes you a better beekeeper. This is the most comprehensive beehive module you’ll find—covering every hive type, every component, and every decision you’ll face.
- 37 detailed video lessons covering every aspect of beehives and hive components
- Complete guidance on National, Langstroth, poly, and wooden hive systems
- Practical advice on assembly, maintenance, and getting the most from your setup
Whatever hive system you use, this module will help you understand it, maintain it, and get the best from it.
This module is part of the The 14-Day Beekeeper (£149). Only buy this individual module if you’re specifically interested in this subject, without the context of the full course.
Why Buy This Module?
Most beekeeping problems start with a hive that isn’t set up correctly. This module makes sure yours is.
- You’ll know how to assemble and maintain your hive properly. From floor to roof, frames to feeders—this module covers every component in detail with real hands-on demonstrations so you know exactly what you’re doing.
- You’ll understand the differences between hive types. National versus Langstroth, poly versus wood, single brood versus double brood—this module explains the trade-offs clearly so you can make the right choice for your situation.
- You’ll avoid the mistakes that cause problems. Beespace, frame spacing, the importance of standardisation, wet versus dry supers—these are the details that experienced beekeepers know and beginners often learn the hard way.
- You’ll get support. Got a question about your hive setup? Reach out. We’re here to help you work through it.
Module Lessons
This module covers 37 specific topics. Each lesson gives you practical, experience-based guidance you can apply straight away.
1. Introduction
An overview of the beehive module—what you’ll learn and why understanding your hive in detail makes you a more effective beekeeper.
2. What Is A Beehive
A clear, practical introduction to what a beehive is, how it works as a system, and the role each component plays in supporting the colony.
3. Types of Beehive
An overview of the main hive types used in the UK—National, Langstroth, WBC, top-bar, and more. Understand the differences before you commit to a system.
4. National Hive Overview
A detailed look at the National hive—the most common hive in the UK. Learn its components, dimensions, and how everything fits together.
5. Beehives – National Hive Unboxing
A real-time unboxing of a National hive, showing every component and how to inspect new equipment before use.
6. Lang Hive
An introduction to the Langstroth hive—its dimensions, advantages, and how it differs from the National. A popular choice worldwide and increasingly common in the UK.
7. Lang Unboxing
A real-time unboxing of a Langstroth hive, walking through every component and what to check on arrival.
8. Poly Hives vs Wooden Hives
The case for and against poly and wooden hives. Learn the practical differences in insulation, weight, durability, and cost so you can make an informed choice.
9. Horizontal Hives
An introduction to horizontal hive designs—what they are, how they work, and what kind of beekeeper they suit.
10. Standardisation and Compatibility
Why using a single, compatible hive system across your apiary makes everything easier. The case for standardisation and how to approach it practically.
11. Importance of Beespace
One of the most important concepts in beekeeping. Learn what beespace is, why bees use it, and what happens when hive components don’t respect it.
12. Floor Assembly
How to assemble and use an open mesh floor correctly. Learn the role it plays in ventilation and varroa management.
13. Lang Floor
The Langstroth-specific floor—its design, assembly, and how it differs from National floors.
14. Beehives – Brood Box Assembly
Step-by-step guidance on assembling a brood box correctly. Learn what to check and how to avoid common assembly mistakes.
15. Beehives – Lang Brood Box
A detailed look at the Langstroth brood box—dimensions, frame count, and how to get it set up ready for bees.
16. Beehives – Underfloor Entrance
How underfloor entrances work, their advantages, and how to manage them through the season.
17. Queen Excluders
What queen excluders are, how they work, and when to use them. Learn the different types available and how to manage them correctly.
18. Super Assembly
How to assemble a super correctly and prepare it for use. Learn the details that affect how well bees use the space.
19. How Many Supers
How many supers to have per colony, when to add them, and how to avoid the common mistake of adding too few too late.
20. Why You Have To Use Castellations In The Super
Why frame spacing in supers matters so much—and why castellations are the reliable way to get it right every time.
21. Wet vs Dry Supers
What to do with supers after extraction. Learn the wet versus dry debate and what Laurence’s approach is.
22. Beehives – Roof Assembly
How to assemble and fit a roof correctly. Learn what to look for to ensure it’s weatherproof and secure.
23. Beehives – Lang Roof
The Langstroth roof—its design, how it differs from the National, and how to fit and maintain it.
24. Foundation
An introduction to wax foundation—what it is, why bees need it, and how to prepare it for use in your frames.
25. Wax Foundation
A closer look at wax foundation—the different types available, how to choose the right one, and how to fit it correctly.
26. Frame Assembly
How to assemble frames correctly from flat-pack. Learn the technique that keeps frames square and ready to use.
27. Types of Frames
The range of frame types available and how they differ. Learn which frames suit which hive system and which situations.
28. Beehives – Lang Frames
Langstroth-specific frames—their dimensions, assembly, and how they compare to National frames.
29. Spacers
How spacers are used to manage frame spacing in the brood box. Learn when to use them and how they affect colony behaviour.
30. Dummy Board
What a dummy board is, when to use one, and how it helps manage space in the brood box as the colony builds up or contracts.
31. Feeders
An overview of the feeder types that live inside the hive—how they fit, how they work, and what to consider when choosing one.
32. Warm Way vs Cold Way
The two orientations for running frames in a brood box. Learn the difference, the pros and cons of each, and which Laurence prefers.
33. How Many Beehives
How many hives to start with and how to think about scaling up. An honest answer based on real experience.
34. Hive Maintenance
How to keep your hive in good condition season after season. Learn the maintenance habits that extend equipment life and keep colonies healthy.
35. Cleaning and Scraping Boxes
How to clean and scrape hive components properly. A routine that prevents disease spread and keeps your equipment in good shape.
36. How To Paint A Beehive
Why painting matters and how to do it correctly. Learn what paint to use, how to apply it, and how to maintain the finish over time.
37. Spray Painting
An alternative approach to painting hives—how to do it effectively and where it works better than brush painting.
Part of the 14-Day Beekeeper
This Beehives module is one of 14 modules in the The 14-Day Beekeeper—our complete training program with 300+ video lessons, the Beekeeping Blueprint system, and 12 months of HiveQ membership.
This is one of the foundational modules of the course and is suitable for beekeepers who are just getting started. Working through the full course gives you everything in context—from understanding your hive through to advanced colony management and the Beekeeping Blueprint.
What students say
Learn why beekeepers choose us.Learned so much
was watching your videos long before you started 14DBK. Your simple method of getting the information across and genuine love of beekeeping shines through. My wife and I have now finished the course but are still learning so much from the HiveQ community. The ability to return to relevant modules at any time is an absolute blessing.
All anyone needs to start beekeeping
14DBK – Bought when it first launched and it’s been invaluable. Books, although valuable, lack the ability to watch someone actually do what they teach. 14DBK and the youtube channels new direction to education is all anyone needs to start beekeeping.
A reference library
I loved this course, as a new beekeeper it has been very helpful and we certainly be a reference library going forward that I can go back to time and again, I can fully recommend this for newbies and experienced beekeepers
A wealth of knowledge
Purchased the 14 day beekeeping course for my mum for christmas. She loved it! And we are excited to be going into 2026 with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of bees that we didnt have before.
Why Learn From Laurence?
Laurence Edwards has been teaching beekeeping for over a decade. His YouTube channel has helped hundreds of thousands of people start beekeeping with confidence, and his Beekeeping Blueprint system helped him increase his own honey yields by 400%.
This isn’t theory from a textbook. It’s practical, tested advice from someone who keeps bees every single day and has made every mistake so you don’t have to.
