Managing a Layens Hive

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Although the Layens hive lends itself to a more natural approach to beekeeping it is advisable to enrol on a beekeeping course if you have no previous experience. An understanding of beekeeping practices will prove very useful, even if you don’t follow all of the methods.

• Start off with a local swarm, preferably originating from a wild colony

• Depending on the size of the swarm, adjust the volume of the hive accordingly using the divider board

• Allow the colony to establish over the season and through their 1st winter before thinking about looking for surplus honey

• Minimise inspections, instead observing the bee’s behaviour from outside the hive

• Allow the bees to swarm

• Refrain from feeding the bees or treating them with chemicals or miticides.