Top Bar Hives (TBH) are by far the easiest way for a home hobbyist beekeeper to keep bees. It is a more natural environment for the bees, it requires little lifting and the hive is at a comfortable working height. It's great for young and old and is easily kept by those with disabilities. A TBH requires little to no investment after the sale, there are no honey supers to purchase, no frames or foundation and TBH's require little care. Our Top Bar Hive is MADE IN THE USA crafted of handpicked US grown Cypress. Cypress is naturally resistant to bugs and rot unlike the more popular choice of material, pine. Painting or staining a Cypress hive is only a matter of preference and does not need done at all, it will weather to a beautiful silver over time. The main body of our TBH comes assembled using box joints and is sanded to a beautiful , almost furniture like finish. The top is also assembled creating a unique tapered effect enhancing the "curb appeal" of the hive. Our Top bars are grooved to accept starter strips (included) for the bees to build comb on. An interior "stingless" feeder unique to our hive allows for easy feeding. A screen bottom and pull out tray help to keep the hive clean. Some assembly required. American made in North Florida by a family owned company, specializing in producing woodware for beekeepers in Cypress and Pine.
L**E
Poor quality and very bad customer service
We bought the top bar bee hive from hives and more. I called the company before purchasing to make sure that the hive will work in Vermont due to the very cold temps. The guy (John) was really nice, he answered all my questions and made me feel that the top bar would be ok in Vermont elements, he also mentioned that it was better for them if I ordered direct instead of ordering through amazon. BIG MISTAKE! Originally I was thinking that I would support the "mom and pop" shop. So I order the hive paid over $400.00 for it. When the hive came, the box was a little damaged and ripped it was fifteen below that day so we brought the hive in the house to put it together and noticed that the cover of the hive was cracked and that the craftsmanship of the hive was very poor. The screws that they used on the feeder were way to big and stuck out at least a quarter inch and the wood was split there also. The two pieces that we're put together where the feeder jar lays didn't line up. This just the few things we noticed on the first day. At first we were thinking that we could fix it all and I would paint the top so the water wouldn't seep into the hive but then I thought about the amount of money we paid for a piece of crap. After the hive being in our house for 3 days (which was 50% humidity the window fell out and we noticed another crack. Our summers are dryer then our house. So I contacted Cindy (the owner) and she said she would contact ups as she totally blamed it all on them. I sent them pictures of the hive damage and the packaging. All I wanted was a replacement so I didn't have to do all the repairs. Cindy didn't get back to me for two weeks and then she e-mail me to say the the top bar hive needed be in a environment of 16% humidity. This was not mentioned at all when I was asking questions before I bought it. Another week goes by and nothing was mentioned about sending a new one and me sending the damaged one back. Finally after 5 weeks of not getting a response I asked for a refund. As it didn't seem I was getting anywhere on the replacement and we needed to get something if we plan to do bees. Cindy's husband called after my numerous attempts of e-mailing them and he was extremely rude. Pretty much made me feel like the damaged hive was my fault even thought the damage was there when I opened the box. In the end they decided they would refund my money. Two weeks later UPS came for the package. I had to talk to them and showed them the damage.Long story short (trust me there was more) I had to pay $40. In shipping for a product I do not have. If u decide to buy the product do not expect "furniture quality, like they state in their YouTube video) and make sure you go through amazon so if you have problems you have the support that Amazon provides.
C**N
Get Real.
Anyone who is capable of keeping bees, and or capable of building a simple bird house, could shop around for materials and build at least ten top bar hives that are every bit as useful and long lasting for the price of one of these.
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