> TBHs are not necessarily trapezoidal, many are rectangular and some of them are built to Lang dimensions.

All of my hives are built this way.  I have poor upper body strength
and know too many older beeks in constant back pain to want to go that
route myself.

The box is the width of a Lang, same depth as a deep Lang box, and 4'
long, with a rabbet running the whole length.  This yields enough
space for 33 deep frames (the colony usually occupies a smaller space
with a solid follower board), and uses 3 10-frame migratory tops (the
bees propolize the gaps well enough that rain is no problem).  This
design has the weight benefits of a TBH but is more compatible with
your existing equipment and allows you to use an extractor if you
want.

You can build from scratch or knock together from your existing deeps
as described by previous poster.  Elevate on cinder blocks, pallets,
or landscape timbers to a comfortable height so you don't have to bend
as much.

As with TBH, they require more frequent care to produce large honey
yields, and are very awkward to move when occupied, but are worth it
to my mind if you can keep on keeping bees despite your back.

Catherine Adamson

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