I just installed my bees and they are already settled in and beginning to forage They are happy in their new home. Ill check back after the hot summer when I expect them to be nice n cool.

Reported the package coming in damage. The guy email me back. Says their packages aren't damaged and to find out if the pieces were missing. And it took a month to get all the missing parts all the corner pieces mising

First off the company has just been excellent to deal with. I really appreciated the "hands on" approach by leadership. How refreshing that is!

I have noticed a couple of items in the use of the hive that might be a value for manufacturer's consideration for future use. I use a hot pipe, oxalic acid vaporizer on my bees to deal with varroa destructor mites.. This works out well for wood, however, for plastic or plastic form like this, it becomes a difficulty because of the fact that, the hot pipe would end up melting the plastic.

What I have managed to do is to use a silicon wafer similar to what I use for my apimaye hives and insert it in the front door flap with a towel stuck around it. This is not the best solution, but it's one that works presently.

Second, I would suggest that there be a vent hole in the center of each of the with a circular dial to choose as to whether you're leaving wide-open or simply leaving it open for exchange of air in and out. This is particularly helpful when the hive becomes fully populated, and instead of the girls having to land on the lowest point and then climb up essentially three stories tall they were able to land higher outside the hive get in directly via, an access hole on the side.

One of the things that I believe is missing on this is an inner cover. I've already found that in plasticized hives the bees have a tendency to create more propolis than in the wooden hive type. So they often propalize the single lid down very tightly. This makes it a challenge if you're having to pry it loose with a hive tool with a heavy lid as this one is.

My hives are located in a mountainous area where we get 35 to 45 mile an hour winds. The heavy weight top is helpful, but insufficient to keep the lid on in a high wind. Therefore, I still have to strap the hive. Perhaps some consideration of a latch on sides?

This is my first HiveiQ and so I'm gonna be seeing how it wears and what the honey production will be from the colony that I have currently installed in it. That also drive my decision about whether to purchase additional ones for future use.

I did apply three coats for high priced latex white paint to the exterior surfaces before construction to lessen the effect of sun scorch on the hive body and extend its life.. The plastic sucked this paint in significantly.

In my 19 years of beekeeping. I have never been as impressed as I have until I got a couple of these hive kits! I took a couple of my overwintered single deeps wrapped in 2" insulation from the bee supply store and transferred the hives into each one of these Hive IQ hives.

For each hive I put the 9 frames of bees into the first box, the 10th frame of bees into the second box, and put in 8 more empty frames, closed the lid and walked away. I came back to great news! In 4 weeks time, with 3 weeks of consecutive freeze, Negative 14 degree temps with high winds and snow I come back to find a pleasant surprise once the weather warmed up! Those hives being each, a full 18 frame hive ready for their supers!

I figured I certainly cant complain. My wrapped woodenware hives were OBLITERATED to the frigid temps like they do every year. A person is lucky to come into spring with 4-6 frames of bees in a midwestern winter setting.

Yeah its just beyond me! Normal woodenware hives wrapped in 2" of insulation and other insulated hives dont even come close for brood and nest performance. The bonus to the kit is the bottom board with the built in mite board. It works better than any SBB i've ever used, for passive mite control. A necessity for overwintering.

The design of the hive plays a major part in its success. The Lid is a major factor. its solid and is very heavy. Which is a major bonus! The boxes with their plastic top and bottom pieces create a really good seal, Keeping leaks out. and the bottom board design with SBB integrated IPM is the major important supporting cast member to this design. Handling hive beetles and mites.

We've already had some 90F days out. I haven't seen any bearding vs wrapped hives. So its a good thing!

To me, if you are in a temperate climate. the cost is worth it. VS having a colony crash after a cold snap.

The parts are very well made, I ordered 2 hive assemblies that I am using. One of the queen excluders will not fit one end of the frame is 1/8" to wide.