An improved modular beehive apparatus includes a hive body, a hive top, a hive bottom, a plurality of frames, and at least one securing means for securing at least the top to the body. In one embodiment of the present invention, the body is modular, thereby allowing multiple bodies to be stacked on top of one another. To ensure modularity, not only should an uppermost portion of the body be configured to mate with the top, but it should also be configured to mate with a lowermost portion of another body. To enhance integrity, the portions that mate (e.g., the top and body) should be “interlockable.” The more interlocking the structures are, the more secure the beehive apparatus becomes. Especially if the structures are secured together (e.g., using screws, etc.).

A system for monitoring a beehive includes a sensor bar. The sensor bar has a physical size and shape to function as a frame bar of a honeybee frame that slides into a chamber of a beehive. The sensor bar includes an enclosure having a plurality of holes, a microphone disposed within the enclosure to record sound emanating through the holes from the beehive, and at least one interior environmental sensor disposed within the enclosure to measure an interior environmental characteristic of the beehive.

A system for monitoring a beehive includes a sensor bar. The sensor bar has a physical size and shape to function as a frame bar of a honeybee frame that slides into a chamber of a beehive. The sensor bar includes an enclosure having a plurality of holes, a microphone disposed within the enclosure to record sound emanating through the holes from the beehive, and at least one interior environmental sensor disposed within the enclosure to measure an interior environmental characteristic of the beehive.

A splittable honeycomb comprising: a first comb portion and a second comb portion comprising a first series of cell portions and a corresponding second series of cell portions respectively, said first and second cell portions defining a series of honeycomb cells therebetween, the first comb portion and the second comb portion being moveable relative to each other from a closed cell position to an open cell position, wherein mutually opposed edges of said cells are non-contiguous in the closed cell position to thereby avoid catching a limb of a bee.

A splittable honeycomb comprising: a first comb portion and a second comb portion comprising a first series of cell portions and a corresponding second series of cell portions respectively, said first and second cell portions defining a series of honeycomb cells therebetween, the first comb portion and the second comb portion being moveable relative to each other from a closed cell position to an open cell position, wherein mutually opposed edges of said cells are non-contiguous in the closed cell position to thereby avoid catching a limb of a bee.

A heater-equipped man-made beehive incorporates a substantially enclosed hive body having a plurality of joined side walls, a floor, and a top. The hive body defines an entrance sufficient for allowing passage of bees into and from the beehive. A heating element is located inside the hive body adjacent the floor, and is adapted to raise an ambient temperature inside the beehive.

A heater-equipped man-made beehive incorporates a substantially enclosed hive body having a plurality of joined side walls, a floor, and a top. The hive body defines an entrance sufficient for allowing passage of bees into and from the beehive. A heating element is located inside the hive body adjacent the floor, and is adapted to raise an ambient temperature inside the beehive.

A grid ring brood comb frame for cylindrical brood chamber hives has a brood comb frame (20) carrying a comb (6), and the brood comb frame (20) is supplied with connection bodies (40) for connection to a rotating structure. A grid ring (30) is located at least partially around the external shell surface (21) of the brood comb frame (20) carrying the comb (6) and opposite the comb (6). The brood comb frame (20) and the grid ring (30) are connected to each other via connection sections (31), the grid ring (30) is supplied with a first edge (32) extending beyond a longitudinal external plane (S) resting on a side surface (22) of the brood comb frame (20). The connection sections (31) between the brood comb frame (20) and the grid ring (30) are interrupted by one or more bee spaces (34).

A grid ring brood comb frame for cylindrical brood chamber hives has a brood comb frame (20) carrying a comb (6), and the brood comb frame (20) is supplied with connection bodies (40) for connection to a rotating structure. A grid ring (30) is located at least partially around the external shell surface (21) of the brood comb frame (20) carrying the comb (6) and opposite the comb (6). The brood comb frame (20) and the grid ring (30) are connected to each other via connection sections (31), the grid ring (30) is supplied with a first edge (32) extending beyond a longitudinal external plane (S) resting on a side surface (22) of the brood comb frame (20). The connection sections (31) between the brood comb frame (20) and the grid ring (30) are interrupted by one or more bee spaces (34).

A beekeeping apparatus includes a bottom side having an arcuate groove defined therein, the arcuate groove being sized and dimensioned to correspond to the rim of a repository; and a top side including a recessed area defined therein, the recessed area being sized and dimensioned to correspond to a beekeeping frame, and a plurality of generally rectangular openings defined through the recessed area, the rectangular openings each being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain a portion of a beekeeping frame, and collectively being sized and dimensioned to receive and retain portions of different sizes of beekeeping frames.