A beehive is the home of a colony of honey bees, but the term describes two different structures: the artificial, human-built boxes used in apiculture, or the natural nest a colony establishes in the wild. The exterior materials depend entirely on which context is being discussed. Regardless of its origin, the primary purpose of the exterior is to provide a sheltered, protected, and thermally stable environment for the colony within.
The Constructed Home: Materials of Managed Beehives
The most common managed beehive design is the Langstroth hive, a modular system constructed primarily from wood. The exterior shell consists of stacked boxes, called supers, resting on a bottom board and capped with an outer cover. These components are traditionally built using softwoods such as pine or cedar, with pine being a popular choice for its cost-effectiveness, although hardwoods like cypress are also sometimes used.
To withstand environmental exposure, the wooden boxes are often treated with external coatings. Beekeepers apply weather-resistant latex or oil-based paint, usually in white or a light color, which reflects sunlight and prevents wood degradation. Alternatively, coatings like marine varnish or a wax dip may be applied to seal the wood against moisture and improve longevity.
The constructed hive is sealed by an outer cover, which is the structure’s main defense against precipitation and direct sunlight. This cover is frequently a wooden frame topped with sheet metal, such as aluminum, which sheds water and protects the colony. The entire structure often sits upon a hive stand, which elevates the bottom board off the damp ground, preventing rot and ensuring better air circulation.
The Natural Home: Composition of Wild Bee Nests
In contrast to managed hives, the exterior of a wild or feral bee nest is defined by the existing natural cavity the colony occupies. Honey bees are cavity nesters; they do not construct a large, freestanding outer shell but instead seek out pre-existing voids for shelter. The exterior of a natural nest is therefore the material of the host structure itself.
Common locations for feral colonies include hollows within mature trees, which are the preferred natural site, as well as rock crevices and caves. In human-populated areas, colonies frequently establish themselves in artificial voids, such as the wall cavities of buildings, unused chimneys, or even machinery. The outer material in these cases is the tree bark, stone, or human-made construction material that defines the boundary of the cavity.
The bees select cavities that offer a sheltered, darkened enclosure, typically averaging around forty liters in volume. They modify the cavity only slightly, primarily by sealing off excessively large openings to create a small, defensible entrance. The protective shell of a wild nest is an appropriation of the environment, relying on the structural integrity of the surrounding tree or rock formation for defense and insulation.
The Bees’ Own Exterior Sealant: Propolis
Whether a colony lives in a managed hive or a wild cavity, the bees apply a specialized substance to weatherproof and fortify the exterior. This substance is propolis, a sticky, resinous mixture often called “bee glue.” Propolis is created when worker bees collect sticky plant resins from the buds and sap flows of various trees, such as poplar or conifer species.
The bees mix these collected resins with beeswax and their salivary enzymes to create the final product. Propolis is strategically applied to seal small cracks, gaps, or unwanted openings in the hive walls, generally those smaller than six millimeters. This sealing action serves multiple purposes, including waterproofing the structure and protecting the colony from cold winter drafts and excessive heat.
The bees also use propolis to narrow the hive entrance, creating a small, defensible choke point that helps guard bees repel intruders. This resinous layer provides structural reinforcement by gluing hive components together, and its antimicrobial properties help sanitize the surfaces it covers. Propolis acts as the final layer of defense and weather protection for the exterior of any beehive.