Product Overview
12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Hive Lid
Protect Your Hive from the Elements
The 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Hive Lid is the outermost protective cover of your hive. Designed to shield your colony from rain, snow, sunlight, and changing weather conditions, this premium lid helps keep the interior of the hive dry while protecting the woodenware below.
Manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply, this telescoping lid features durable double wax dipped wood construction with a galvanized steel top for long-lasting weather resistance. Whether you're replacing an existing lid or building a complete 12 frame hive, this cover is designed to provide years of dependable performance.
Quick Answer
A telescoping hive lid is the protective outer cover that sits on top of the inner cover. It extends over the sides of the hive to help shed water, protect the hive from weather, and improve the longevity of your woodenware.
What Is a Telescoping Hive Lid?
A telescoping hive lid is the top cover used on most Langstroth beehives. Unlike a migratory cover, which sits flush with the hive body, a telescoping lid extends over all four sides of the hive.
This overhanging design helps direct rainwater away from the hive body while providing additional protection from sun, snow, and wind-driven moisture.
Because the telescoping lid is the first line of defense against the weather, it plays an important role in protecting both the colony and the woodenware beneath it.
Why Choose a Telescoping Lid?
Many beekeepers prefer telescoping lids because they provide excellent weather protection while giving the hive a finished, professional appearance.
Benefits include:
- Helps shed rain and snow away from the hive
- Protects hive bodies from direct weather exposure
- Helps extend the life of woodenware
- Durable galvanized steel top
- Works with a standard inner cover
- Compatible with 12 frame Langstroth equipment
Why Double Wax Dipped Woodenware?
The wooden portion of this telescoping lid is protected using our premium double wax dipping process.
Double wax dipping helps:
- Improve moisture resistance
- Reduce water absorption
- Extend the life of the wood
- Reduce maintenance over time
- Protect exposed wood from weather
Combined with the galvanized steel top, this creates a durable hive cover built for years of dependable service.
Why Is an Inner Cover Important?
A telescoping lid is designed to be used together with an inner cover (sold separately).
The inner cover creates a space between the bees and the outer lid, helping:
- Reduce burr comb attached to the lid
- Improve hive ventilation
- Make inspections easier
- Prevent bees from sealing the outer cover directly to the hive
Using both components together provides the best protection and simplifies routine hive management.
When Should a Hive Lid Be Replaced?
A quality telescoping lid can provide many years of service, but replacement may become necessary if the galvanized metal becomes damaged or if the wooden components experience excessive wear.
Regular inspections help ensure the lid continues protecting the hive from moisture and weather.
What's Included
- One 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Hive Lid - measures 21-7/8" x 20-1/2" x 2-7/8"
- Galvanized Steel Top
- Fully Assembled
Inner cover sold separately.
Excellent For
- New hive construction
- Replacing damaged hive lids
- Building complete 12 frame hives
- Colony expansion
- Hobby beekeepers
- Sideliner beekeepers
- Commercial beekeepers
What This Component Does
The 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Telescoping Hive Lid serves as the primary weather barrier for your hive. Installed over the inner cover, it helps protect the colony from rain, snow, direct sunlight, and other environmental conditions that can shorten the life of hive equipment.
The overhanging telescoping design directs water away from the hive bodies below, helping reduce moisture exposure while protecting the brood chamber, honey supers, and other wooden components. Combined with a galvanized steel top and our premium double wax dipped wooden frame, this lid is built to provide dependable protection season after season.
Where This Fits in Your Hive
The telescoping hive lid is the final component installed on a Langstroth hive and serves as the roof that protects the entire colony.
Typical hive configuration (top to bottom):
- Telescoping Hive Lid ← This Product
- Inner Cover
- Honey Super(s) (when installed)
- Deep Hive Body (Brood Chamber)
- Bottom Board
By sitting over the inner cover and extending beyond the sides of the hive, the telescoping lid helps keep rain and snow from running directly down the hive bodies while protecting every component below it.
What This Product Is Compatible With
This telescoping hive lid is designed for use with compatible 12 Frame Langstroth hive equipment, including:
- 12 Frame Inner Covers
- 12 Frame 9-5/8" Deep Hive Bodies
- 12 Frame 6-5/8" Honey Supers
- 12 Frame Solid Bottom Boards
- 12 Frame Screened Bottom Boards
- Complete 12 Frame Double Wax Dipped Bee Hives
- Additional 12 Frame Wax Dipped Hive Components manufactured by Lappe's Bee Supply
Using matching 12 frame equipment helps ensure proper fit, weather protection, and long-term compatibility throughout your hive.
When You'll Need This Component
A telescoping hive lid is required on every complete hive and may also be needed when replacing worn equipment or expanding your apiary.
You may need this component when:
- Building a new 12 frame hive
- Replacing a damaged or weathered hive lid
- Expanding your apiary with additional colonies
- Upgrading to premium double wax dipped woodenware
- Replacing older equipment as part of routine hive maintenance
Because the telescoping lid is the hive's primary weather barrier, maintaining it in good condition helps protect every component beneath it while supporting a healthy environment for your bees.
Why Buy from Lappe's Bee Supply?
Since 1978, Lappe's Bee Supply has been dedicated to providing beekeepers with dependable equipment built for long-term use. Our premium double wax dipped woodenware is manufactured with durability and compatibility in mind, helping protect your investment while supporting healthy, productive colonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a telescoping hive lid do?
A telescoping hive lid protects the hive from rain, snow, sunlight, and other weather while covering the inner cover and helping keep the colony dry.
Does this include the inner cover?
No. This product includes the telescoping lid only. The inner cover is sold separately.
What is the difference between a telescoping lid and a migratory cover?
A telescoping lid extends over the sides of the hive for increased weather protection, while a migratory cover sits flush with the hive body and is commonly used where hives are frequently moved.
Is this compatible with standard 12 frame Langstroth equipment?
Yes. It is designed for use with compatible 12 frame Langstroth hive components.
Why is the top covered with galvanized steel?
The galvanized steel top helps protect the wooden lid from rain, snow, sunlight, and normal weather exposure, increasing the overall durability of the hive cover.
Can I use this on a new hive?
Absolutely. This telescoping lid is ideal for new hive construction, replacement equipment, or expanding an existing 12 frame hive.
