Hive Stands for Beekeeping

If you purchase an independently reviewed item through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Hive stands are not only designed to keeping a beehive off the wet ground; they have a lot more benefits. Some might think that it is not necessary to have a bee hive stand but the truth is, bees are naturally inclined to set house above the ground. You rarely find bees swarms on the ground and in case it happens it never lasts long. They will always find an alternative with some height. The best hive stands make it easy for you to position the beehive above the ground. They are available in different brands, designs, models, and come in a wide variety of prices. You can even build your own hive stand.

About Hive Stands

You have two choices when it comes to hive stand designs: shared hive stand or single hive stand. Shared hive stands can hold more than one hive, whereas single hive stand can only hold one hive. The single hive stand offers immense benefits to the hive unit. It offers centralized support unlike the shared stand that supports a number of hives. At the peak of the season, a single beehive can weigh between 70 to 100 kilograms which is quite heavy. An excellent quality single stand can offer the required support for an extended period. On the other hand, the shared stand might handle a number of hives but may not last longer when compared to the single stand.

Why Hive Stands are Necessary

The hive stand helps to direct rain water through the hive walls and away from the stand. This ensures the hive is dryer and will extend the usable life of the beehive unit. The hive stand also helps to keep the beehive away from damp ground that causes damp rot and shortens the life of the wood.

Some bee parasites such as the nosema apis, thrive best on wet grounds that encourage mold and fungus. A stand therefore helps to mitigate against these parasites while keeping the hive dry and free from moisture. Predators are also a common problem in beekeeping. They either steal the honey or feast on the bees themselves. A well-raised beehive keeps these predators away from it. Other benefits associated with hive stands is that it provides the right environment for the bees. A hive that is raised helps to provide better ventilation which provides the right temperature and humidity. This is ideal for brood development and conversion of nectar to honey.

When deciding on the kind of stand to buy, it is important to research about the common predators within your region. Some of the common apiary predators include: lizards, bee eating birds, mice, raccoons, rats, skunks, ants, praying mantis, bears, and many others.

Ideal bee hive stands should not be too high, since you have to remove the hives from time to time when undertaking routine inspection. The stand should allow you handle the hives without using a ladder. The stand should also be slightly sloppy so as to drain water away from the bottom board.

 

In Depth Overview of the Best Hive Stands for Beekeeping

9. Hansen Honey Farm Ultimate Hive Stand for 10 Frame Hives

Best Hive Stands - Hansen Honey Farm Ultimate Hive Stand for 10 Frame Hives

The Hansen Honey Farm Ultimate Hive Stand for 10 Frame Hives is a great product for any beekeeper looking for a sturdy and adjustable hive stand. As an experienced beekeeper, I have tried several different hive stands over the years, and this one stands out for its quality and ease of use.

One of the standout features of this hive stand is its adjustability. The plastic legs are easy to adjust to different heights, allowing you to level your hive and ensure that your bees have a stable platform to build their comb on. This is especially important for beekeepers who live in areas with uneven ground or other environmental factors that can impact hive stability.

Another great feature of the Hansen Honey Farm Ultimate Hive Stand is its sturdiness. Made from high-quality plastic, it can support even the heaviest hives without any wobbling or tipping. This is especially important for beekeepers who live in areas with strong winds or harsh weather conditions.

In terms of drawbacks, it is worth noting that this hive stand is made of plastic. While it is sturdy and durable, some beekeepers may prefer a stand made from more traditional materials like wood or metal. Additionally, the adjustability feature may not be necessary for beekeepers who have hives that are already level and stable.

All in all, I would highly recommend the Hansen Honey Farm Ultimate Hive Stand for 10 Frame Hives to any beekeeper looking for a sturdy and adjustable hive stand. Its quality construction and innovative design make it a great choice for both beginner and experienced beekeepers alike.

Check Price

 

8. Pocreation Beehive Feet Hive Stand

Best Hive Stands - Pocreation Beehive Feet Hive Stand

If you’re a beekeeper in need of a high-quality hive stand that can protect your bees from ants, then the Pocreation Beehive Feet Hive Stand is an good choice. As someone who has used this product, I can attest to its durability and effectiveness.

One of the standout features of this bee hive stand is its ant-proof design. The stainless steel base provides a moat that can be filled with water to prevent ants from climbing up to the hive. This provides added protection for your bees, particularly in areas where ant infestations are a common problem.

Another great feature of the Pocreation Beehive Feet Hive Stand is its durability. Made from high-quality stainless steel, these feet can support the weight of even the heaviest hives without any wobbling or tipping. The four feet in the set also provide added stability and protection against potential damage from moisture and other environmental factors.

In terms of drawbacks, it is worth noting that this hive stand is not adjustable. Neither does it raise the beehive off the ground by much. While some beekeepers may prefer an adjustable stand, the Pocreation Beehive Feet Hive Stand is designed to provide a stable and secure platform for your hive without the need for adjustment. Additionally, some beekeepers may find that the four feet in the set are not enough to support larger hives.

Check Price

 

7. Ucarem Beehive Stand

Best Hive Stands - Ucarem Beehive Stand

The Ucarem Beehive Stand is a reliable hive stand that is designed to keep ants out. As an experienced beekeeper, I have tried a number of different hive stands over the years, and this one stands out for its quality and effectiveness.

One of the standout features of the Ucarem Beehive Stand is its ant-proof design. This is a huge plus for beekeepers who live in areas with ant infestations, as it can be difficult to keep ants from invading hives and disrupting the bees. The stand’s legs are coated with a special material that ants cannot climb, which provides added protection for the hive.

Another great feature of the Ucarem Beehive Stand is its sturdiness. Made from high-quality materials, it can support even the heaviest hives without any wobbling or tipping. This is especially important for beekeepers who live in areas with strong winds or harsh weather conditions.

In terms of drawbacks, it is worth noting that this hive stand is not adjustable. While some beekeepers may prefer an adjustable stand, the Ucarem stand is designed to be used with a specific type of hive and does not require adjustment. Additionally, the stand can be a bit heavy and cumbersome to move around, especially if you have multiple hives to manage.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Ucarem Beehive Stand to any beekeeper looking for an ant-proof and sturdy hive stand. Its quality construction and innovative design make it a great choice for both beginner and experienced beekeepers alike. While it may have a few minor drawbacks, they are easily outweighed by the many benefits this stand has to offer.

Check Price

 

6. Neorexon Adjustable Metal Hive Stand

Best Hive Stands - Neorexon Adjustable Metal Hive Stand

One of the standout features of the Neorexon stand is its adjustability. It can be adjusted to three different heights, allowing beekeepers to customize it to their specific needs. This is especially useful when working with different types of hives or when moving hives around the yard. The stand is also very sturdy and can hold even the heaviest hives without any wobbling or tipping.

Another great feature of the Neorexon stand is its construction. Made from high-quality metal, it is built to last and can withstand the elements. It is also easy to clean and maintain, which is a huge plus for beekeepers who are busy managing their hives.

In terms of drawbacks, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the stand can be a bit heavy and cumbersome to move around, especially if you have multiple hives to manage. Secondly, the adjustable legs can be a bit finicky to adjust, and it takes some trial and error to get them just right.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Neorexon Adjustable Metal Hive Stand to any beekeeper looking for a durable and versatile hive stand. Its adjustability, sturdiness, and easy maintenance make it a great choice for both beginner and experienced beekeepers alike. While it may have a few minor drawbacks, they are easily outweighed by the many benefits this stand has to offer.

Check Price

 

5. Toughtimbers 8-Frame Hive Stand

Best Bee Hive Stands - Toughtimbers 8-Frame Hive Stand for Beekeeping

This is a wooden bee hive stand that works well for 8 frame hives. The unit is sturdy and well built to offer the required support for the hive. It comes unassembled and it is made of pine material. The stand has an excellent design to prevent any obstruction to the bees when accessing the hive. This unit offers a good elevation to keep the hive away from damp ground and predators.

Features and Benefits

  • It is delivered unassembled and comes with instructions.
  • Offers and easy access to hive for the bees.
  • It is ideal for 8 frame hives.
  • It is a wooden hive stand.
  • Made of pine wood.
  • Product dimensions are 16 x 1 x 20 inches.
  • Weighs 5 pounds and has a shipping weight of 6 pounds.
Check Price

 

4. VIVO BEE-HVST Black Plastic Beehive Stand

Best Bee Hive Stands - VIVO BEE-HVST Black Plastic Beehive Stand

The VIVO Black Plastic Beehive Stand comes from a manufacturer with a long history of making top quality beekeeping products. The company throws its experience in production of beekeeping equipment behind this beehive stand to give you a reliable support. Prominent branding of the VIVO name on this beehive stand assures you that you are buying an authentic product. The lettering is in white on one side of the beehive stand. VIVO has also included a frame holder to help you with your beehive inspection and management activities. This beehive stand is made for use with 10-frame Langstroth beehives.

This beehive stand is made using plastic. It comes in black color and raises the beehive you place on it an impressive 12.4 inches off the ground. This beehive stand has an open area at the top on which you place your beehive. It allows for ventilation of the beehive through the beehive’s bottom section. The top of the stand measures 22.5 inches long and is 16.5 inches wide. The VIVO Black Plastic Beehive Stand widens out towards the bottom. It has a width of 18.8 inches and is 24.8 inches long at the bottom. The stand rests on four legs that have been molded to follow the lines of the 4 sloping surfaces of this stand.

Pros

  • Interlocking joints are used to make this beehive stand. This makes the stand easy to dissemble, transport, store and assemble back together when you need to. The interlocking joints come together tightly so they make the stand strong.
  • This beehive stand has an 8-inch frame holder inbuilt into it. The frame holder is a handy addition for both beginner and experienced beekeepers using this beehive stand.

Cons

  • The beehive stand is made for 10-frame Langstroth beehives only. It is not adjustable. This makes the stand unsuitable for purchase and use by beekeepers with 8-frame Langstroth beehives.
Check Price

 

3. Harvest Lane Honey Plastic Bee Hive Stand

Best Bee Hive Stands - Harvest Lane Honey The Plastic Bee Hive Stand

As its name suggests, this is a plastic hive stand that is built for keeping the bees away from damp ground and predators. The stand is easy to put together and its 4 sides slide together to bring out a durable hive stand. The unit also has metal rests that ensure the hive weight is well distributed to provide excellent stability for the hive. It is also durable and long lasting.

Features and Benefits

  • It is made of durable plastic material.
  • Has 4 sides that slide together to form a sturdy hive stand.
  • It has metal rests that help distribute weight evenly and provide excellent stability for the hives.
  • Easy to use and convenient to attach the frame holders.
  • Product dimension is 20 x 20 x 12 inches.
  • Weighs 5 pounds and has a shipping weight of 7.5 pounds.
Check Price

 

2. Farmstand Supply Ultimate Hive Stand

Best Bee Hive Stands - Farmstand Supply Ultimate Hive Stand

This unit is a US-made product that works well for all hives. It is comes with swing-out frame holders that guarantees an easy access to all hives. It provides an elevation of 300mm or 12 inches above the ground. This is an ideal height for regular checks and honey harvesting. It also provides better ventilation for the bees and keeps predators away from the hive. This unit is built with technopolymer that never rots or rusts. It is available in 8-frame and 10 frame configurations. Click here to read our full review of the Farmstand Supply Ultimate Hive Stand.

Features and Benefits

  • An excellent design for all hives.
  • Elevates the hive to 12 inches or 300mm away from the ground.
  • The technolopolymer construction is resistant to rot or rust.
  • Comes in 8-frame and 10-frame configurations.
  • Does not require a wood hive stand.
  • Its heavy duty rails offer substantial support for the hives.
  • It has built-in drains that ensure the hive components are dry.
  • Offers maximum stability thanks to the large footpads.
  • Very easy to put together.
  • Weighs 9.2 pounds.
Check Price

 

1. Mann Lake HD-709 Adjustable Hive Stand

Best Bee Hive Stands - Mann Lake The HD-709 Adjustable Hive Stand

The 6-pound adjustable hive stand from Mann Lake has a dimension of 24 x 16.8 x 8 inches. It works great for 10 frame and 8 frame bottoms and is capable of raising the hive to 6-1/2 inches. It is constructed using a sturdy zinc plated steel and takes no brains to put together. The height is ideal for providing the required ventilation for the bees and keeping off the hive from predators. It also drains rain water away from the hive components and ensures the entire hive is kept dry at all times.

Features and Benefits

  • Easy to put it together and disassemble.
  • It is made of zinc-plated steel which is sturdy and longer lasting.
  • Elevates the hive unit to 6-1/2 inches above the ground which is ideal for keeping away predators and providing the right ventilation.
  • Excellent feet for fitting ant guards.
  • It is adjustable hence it offers excellent support.
  • The heavy duty frame offers excellent support to the hive even during peak seasons.
  • Works well with 8-frame and 10-frame bottoms.
  • Weighs 6 pounds and has a dimension of 24 x 16.8 x 8 inches.
Check Price

 

Conclusion

Each of the best bee hive stands discussed above each offer its unique features and benefits. Some are new in the market whereas others have been around for a while. Check out the benefits they offer and settle for one that offers what suits your needs and budget.

Do you own any of the hive stands on this list? Which hive stand do you think should be added to this list? Leave a comment below and let us know.

About Michael Simmonds

Michael Simmonds is an American beekeeper with more than two decades of experience in beekeeping. His journey with bees began in his youth, sparking a lifelong passion that led him to start his own apiary at the tender age of 15. Throughout the years, Simmonds has refined his beekeeping skills and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge concerning honeybee biology and behavior. Simmonds' early exposure to beekeeping ignited a fascination with these pollinators, influencing his decision to establish BeeKeepClub in 2016. The website was created with the aim to serve as the ultimate resource for beginners interested in beekeeping. Under Simmonds' guidance, BeeKeepClub provides comprehensive information to novices, including the basics of beekeeping, the different types of bees and hives, the selection of hive locations, and the necessary beekeeping equipment. In addition, the site offers detailed reviews of beekeeping tools to help enthusiasts make informed decisions and get the best value for their investment​​. His contributions to the beekeeping community through BeeKeepClub are substantial, offering both educational content and practical advice. The website covers a wide array of topics, from starting an apiary to harvesting honey, all reflecting Simmonds' extensive experience and passion for the field. Simmonds’ approach is hands-on and educational, focusing on the importance of understanding bees and the environment in which they thrive. His work not only guides beginners through their beekeeping journey but also reflects a commitment to the well-being of bees. Michael Simmonds has dedicated a significant part of his life to bees and beekeeping, and through BeeKeepClub, he has made this knowledge accessible to a broader audience. His work undoubtedly embodies a blend of expertise, authority, and trustworthiness in the realm of beekeeping.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
trackback
How to Protect Honey Bees from Ants - BeeKeepClub
1 year ago

[…] setups for the bases of their beehives based on individual preferences. Some have beehives sitting on stands while others use blocks to raise their beehives off the ground. Applying an ant deterrent compound […]

1
0
What are your thoughts on this article? Please leave your comment.x
()
x
Skip to content