Product Overview
12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Complete Single Deep Bee Hive - Assembled
Start Your Colony with a Hive Built to Last
The 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Complete Single Deep Bee Hive - Assembled provides everything needed to establish a healthy honey bee colony using premium, long-lasting woodenware manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply. Whether you're installing package bees, transferring a 5 frame nucleus colony, catching a swarm, or beginning your first hive, this complete setup arrives fully assembled and ready for the apiary.
Every wooden component is protected using our premium double wax dipping process, helping provide exceptional durability, improved moisture resistance, and long-lasting performance season after season. Combined with triple wax coated frames, this hive is designed to encourage faster comb acceptance while giving beekeepers dependable equipment they can continue building on as their colonies grow.
Quick Answer
A complete single deep bee hive includes all of the essential woodenware needed to begin a honey bee colony. This fully assembled 12 frame hive includes a telescoping cover, inner cover, bottom board, entrance reducer, deep hive body, and triple wax coated frames, making it an excellent choice for installing package bees, transferring nucleus colonies, or catching swarms.
Why Choose a Single Deep Hive?
A single deep hive provides an excellent starting point for many beekeepers because it allows the colony to establish itself before additional hive bodies or honey supers are added.
As bees build population, draw comb, and begin storing nectar and pollen, the colony can naturally expand into additional equipment when needed. Beginning with one brood chamber also allows the bees to better regulate brood temperature while concentrating the workforce into a smaller space during early colony development.
Single deep hives are commonly used for:
- Installing package bees
- Installing nucleus colonies (nucs)
- Catching swarms
- Starting new apiaries
- Raising replacement colonies
- Building colonies before adding additional brood boxes
What Comes with This Hive?
Your complete hive includes:
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Lid - measures 21-7/8" x 20-1/2" x 2-7/8"
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Inner Cover - measures 19-7/8" x 18-1/2" x 7/8"
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board with Entrance Reducer - measures 22" x 18-5/8" x 2"
- 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped 9-5/8" Deep Hive Body with Triple Wax Coated Frames - deep measures 19-7/8" x 18-1/2" x 9-5/8"
All double wax dipped equipment comes fully assembled and ready to use!
Why Double Wax Dipped Woodenware?
Hive equipment is exposed to sun, rain, snow, humidity, propolis, and repeated inspections throughout its lifetime. Protecting woodenware from moisture is one of the most important factors in extending its service life.
Our premium double wax dipping process helps improve moisture resistance by allowing hot wax to penetrate the wood fibers, creating durable hive components designed for years of dependable use.
Benefits include:
- Improved moisture resistance
- Long-lasting durability
- Reduced maintenance compared to unfinished woodenware
- Professional appearance
- Durable protection without relying on conventional paint alone
Triple Wax Coated Frames Help Colonies Get Started Faster
The included triple wax coated frames contain significantly more beeswax than standard plastic foundation.
A heavier wax coating encourages bees to begin drawing comb more readily, helping new colonies establish brood nests and food storage more quickly during favorable conditions.
Benefits include:
- Faster comb acceptance
- Improved brood nest development
- Better colony establishment
- Increased comb drawing during nectar flows
Is a 12 Frame Hive Right for You?
A 12 frame hive offers additional brood space compared to traditional 8 frame and 10 frame equipment, allowing colonies more room to expand before requiring another brood chamber.
Many beekeepers choose 12 frame equipment because it can:
- Reduce the number of brood boxes needed
- Provide additional brood space
- Support strong spring buildup
- Reduce inspection frequency during rapid growth
- Offer greater flexibility for colony management
Excellent For
This hive is ideal for:
- Beginning beekeepers
- Hobby beekeepers
- Sideliner beekeepers
- Commercial operations
- Installing package bees
- Installing nucs
- Catching swarms
- Building replacement colonies
Why Buy from Lappe's Bee Supply?
Lappe's Bee Supply has roots in commercial beekeeping dating back to 1978. We manufacture premium double wax dipped woodenware designed by beekeepers who understand the demands of maintaining productive colonies.
Every hive is built with compatibility, durability, and long-term performance in mind so you can continue expanding your apiary using equipment designed to work together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this hive fully assembled?
Yes. Every wooden component is assembled before shipping so your hive is ready for installation when your bees arrive.
Can I install package bees in this hive?
Yes. This hive is an excellent choice for installing package bees.
Can I install a 5 frame nuc?
Absolutely. The hive is designed to accept a transferred nucleus colony and provide room for continued expansion.
Can I catch swarms with this hive?
Yes. Many beekeepers use complete single deep hives to establish captured swarms.
When should I add another hive body?
A second brood chamber is generally added when the bees have drawn and are actively using most of the frames in the first hive body.
Why choose double wax dipped woodenware?
Double wax dipped woodenware provides improved moisture resistance and long-lasting durability, helping protect your investment and reduce maintenance over time.
This hive is assembled using commercial grade hive body and honey super parts; expect some knots & cracks on wax dipped surfaces. Please note: splits from stapling are common on frames due to the wood grain and do not compromise the structure or useability of the frame. We do not replace or refund the frames due to this.
Note on Wax-Dipped Equipment:
Our woodenware is double-dipped in boiling wax for 10 minutes each time, to allow the wax to fully penetrate the wood for long-lasting protection. Over time, the outer surface layer of wax may naturally fade or lighten due to sun and weather exposure. This is cosmetic only – the wax that has absorbed into the wood continues to protect the equipment for years of use.
