Kimball Camp YMCA is where I first saw an observation bee hive. The idea stuck with me and the new Nature Center was just the place to try it out. I couldn’t find an observation hive large enough to permanently house bees so I decided to build one myself. Bees are very particular about spacing and so it required some research to determine measurements. The new hive was designed to be 4 frames high to hold as many bees as possible.

The base for the hive was framed out of 2”x10”s and poured flush with concrete. The hive isn’t really attached to the floor but much too heavy for campers to move. The wall was drilled to allow a clear tube to the outside world.

The bees can be observed as they exit and enter through the tube. The hive didn’t allow for much honey storage so a feeding station was built on the back side to feed the hive during the winter. A terrarium heater is temporarily mounted on one side during the winter to help the hive maintain heat when the room heat is lowered. It’s quite exciting to watch the campers locate the queen bee.