Product Overview
5 Frame Double Wax Dipped 2-Story Langstroth Honey Bee Hive with Triple Wax Coated Frames - Assembled
Start, grow, or manage smaller colonies with the 5 Frame Double Wax Dipped 2-Story Langstroth Honey Bee Hive with Triple Wax Coated Frames from Lappe’s Bee Supply. This fully assembled 5-frame hive setup is designed for beekeepers working with nuc colonies, splits, swarms, resource colonies, queen management setups, and compact honey bee colony growth.
This 2-story hive includes two 9-5/8" deep 5-frame hive bodies, giving your bees room for brood production, pollen storage, nectar storage, and colony food reserves. It also includes 10 Triple Wax Coated frames, a telescoping lid, inner cover, and your choice of solid or screened bottom board.
Each major wooden component is professionally Double Wax Dipped for long-lasting protection against moisture, weather exposure, swelling, warping, and decay. Unlike unfinished woodenware, this hive requires no painting or staining before use.
Whether you are starting a nuc, making a split, catching a swarm, overwintering a smaller colony, or expanding your 5-frame equipment, this assembled 2-story Langstroth honey bee hive gives your colony a durable, practical home built for real use in the bee yard.
Why Beekeepers Choose This 5 Frame 2-Story Honey Bee Hive
This compact 2-story hive gives smaller colonies the space they need while keeping equipment manageable, durable, and easy to work.
Benefits Include
- Fully assembled and ready to use
- Complete 5-frame 2-story Langstroth-style hive setup
- Professionally Double Wax Dipped woodenware
- Includes two 9-5/8" deep hive bodies
- Includes 10 Triple Wax Coated frames
- Choice of assembled wooden frames or one-piece plastic frames
- Choice of natural yellow or black foundation
- Includes telescoping lid and inner cover
- Choice of solid bottom board or screened bottom board
- Compact size for nucs, splits, swarms, and smaller colonies
- No painting or staining required
- Lighter and easier to manage than larger hive equipment
- Pairs with other 5-frame Double Wax Dipped hive components
Premium Double Wax Dipped Protection
Every major wooden component in this hive is protected using Lappe’s premium Double Wax Dipping Process. During this process, the woodenware is submerged in hot wax so the wax can penetrate deep into the wood fibers.
This helps defend the hive equipment against:
- Moisture
- Weather exposure
- Rot and decay
- Swelling
- Warping
- Long-term outdoor wear
Unlike paint, which mainly protects the outside surface, wax becomes part of the wood itself. This creates durable, low-maintenance woodenware that is ready for outdoor use without painting.
Over time, the exterior wax color may naturally lighten from sun and weather exposure. This is cosmetic only. The wax absorbed into the wood continues helping protect the equipment for years of use.
Built by Beekeepers in East Peru, Iowa
Our double wax dipped bee hive equipment is built in East Peru, Iowa, by beekeepers who have been working with honey bees since 1978. Every piece is made with real-world beekeeping experience behind it, so it's designed for durability, protection, and practical use in the bee yard.
At Lappe’s Bee Supply, our wax dipped woodenware is more than just hive equipment. It is built by people who understand what beekeepers need season after season: equipment that holds up outdoors, fits properly, protects the colony, and is easy to use during regular hive inspections.
Whether you are building nucs, making splits, catching swarms, or upgrading to Double Wax Dipped woodenware, this 5-frame 2-story honey bee hive is made with practical beekeeping use in mind.
Why Buy From Lappe’s Bee Supply?
When you buy from Lappe’s Bee Supply, you are buying hive equipment from beekeepers who understand how it will be used in the bee yard. Our double wax dipped woodenware is built in East Peru, Iowa, with practical beekeeping experience behind every piece.
We have been working with honey bees since 1978, and that experience shapes how our equipment is built, protected, and assembled. From the fit of the woodenware to the durability of the wax dipped finish, our goal is to provide equipment that helps beekeepers spend less time preparing boxes and more time managing healthy colonies.
Why Beekeepers Choose Lappe’s
- Built by experienced beekeepers
- Double wax dipped for long-lasting outdoor protection
- No painting or staining required
- Designed for practical use in real apiaries
- Made for standard Langstroth-style compatibility
- Built to help protect your bees and your investment
- Shipped ready to use whenever possible
Whether you are expanding your nuc equipment, replacing older woodenware, or setting up smaller colonies for the season, Lappe’s Bee Supply gives you dependable bee hive equipment backed by decades of hands-on beekeeping experience.
Triple Wax Coated Frames for Faster Bee Acceptance
This 5-frame honey bee hive includes your choice of premium Triple Wax Coated frames. The heavier wax coating helps encourage bees to accept the foundation and begin drawing comb more quickly.
Choose from:
- Assembled wooden frames with Triple Wax Coated foundation
- Triple Wax Coated one-piece plastic frames
Available foundation color options include:
- Natural yellow
- Black
Black foundation can make it easier to see eggs during brood inspections, while yellow foundation provides the familiar natural beeswax appearance many beekeepers prefer. Foundation color does not determine bee acceptance; it is mainly a beekeeper preference.
Please note: when wooden-frame options are selected, the wooden frame pieces themselves are intentionally left untreated because they are protected inside the hive. The foundation receives the Triple Wax coating that encourages bees to accept the surface and begin building comb.
Two Deep Hive Bodies for Nucs, Splits & Colony Growth
This 2-story hive includes two 9-5/8" deep 5-frame hive bodies, making it a practical setup for smaller colonies that need room to grow without being placed into larger equipment too soon.
The lower deep hive body can be used as the main brood area, while the second deep hive body gives the colony additional room for brood expansion, pollen, nectar, and food reserves. This compact two-story setup is especially useful for:
- Nucleus colonies
- Hive splits
- Small swarms
- Backup colonies
- Resource colonies
- Queen management setups
- Growing colonies before moving them into larger equipment
- Overwintering smaller colonies when properly managed
The 5-frame size provides a manageable space that smaller colonies can occupy and defend more easily than larger hive equipment.
Choice of Solid or Screened Bottom Board
This hive includes your choice of bottom board style:
- Solid bottom board
- Screened bottom board
A solid bottom board provides a traditional enclosed hive base and is often preferred for year-round colony management. A screened bottom board can provide additional airflow through the lower hive and is often chosen by beekeepers who prefer added ventilation.
Both options are designed to fit compatible 5-frame Langstroth-style equipment and pair with the rest of this compact hive setup.
Telescoping Lid and Inner Cover Included
This 5-frame hive includes a Double Wax Dipped telescoping lid and inner cover to complete the top of the hive.
The telescoping lid helps shield the colony from rain, wind, snow, sun, and outdoor weather exposure. The inner cover sits beneath the telescoping lid and provides the proper barrier between the bees and the outer cover, helping support normal hive-top spacing and easier inspections.
Together, the lid and inner cover create a dependable hive-top setup for nucs, splits, swarms, and compact 5-frame colonies.
What’s Included
Your purchase includes:
- (1) Double Wax Dipped 5 Frame Telescoping Lid
- (1) Double Wax Dipped 5 Frame Inner Cover
- (2) Double Wax Dipped 5 Frame 9-5/8" Deep Hive Bodies
- (10) Deep frames in your selected Triple Wax Coated frame style and foundation color
- (1) Your choice of Double Wax Dipped Solid Bottom Board or Double Wax Dipped Screened Bottom Board
Everything arrives assembled and ready to place into service with your compatible 5-frame Langstroth-style hive setup.
Product Specifications
- Hive size: 5 Frame
- Product type: 2-story Langstroth-style honey bee hive
- Assembly: Fully assembled
- Woodenware finish: Double Wax Dipped
- Hive bodies included: 2 deep hive bodies
- Hive body depth: 9-5/8"
- Total frames included: 10
- Frame options: Assembled wooden frames with Triple Wax Coated foundation or Triple Wax Coated one-piece plastic frames
- Foundation color options: Natural yellow or black
- Bottom board options: Solid bottom board or screened bottom board
- Telescoping lid included: Yes
- Inner cover included: Yes
- Use: Nucs, splits, swarms, smaller colony expansion, resource colonies
- Painting required: No
- Brand: Lappe’s Bee Supply
- SKU: WXDP-2943
Ideal For
This 5-frame 2-story honey bee hive is perfect for:
- Nucleus colonies
- Making hive splits
- Catching small swarms
- Starting smaller colonies
- Expanding nuc colonies
- Resource colonies
- Backup colonies
- Queen management setups
- Overwintering smaller colonies when properly managed
- Replacing older 5-frame woodenware
- Building a compact Double Wax Dipped hive system
- Hobby beekeepers
- Sideline beekeepers
- Beekeepers who prefer compact equipment for nuc management
How This 5 Frame Honey Bee Hive Fits Into Your Apiary
Start with the bottom board on a level hive stand, then place the first deep hive body above it. Add your bees and allow the colony to begin building comb, raising brood, storing pollen, and establishing food reserves.
As the colony grows, the second deep hive body provides additional room for brood expansion and colony development. The included inner cover and telescoping lid complete the hive top, helping protect the colony from weather while maintaining proper hive-top spacing.
This 5-frame setup is especially useful when a colony is not yet ready for larger 8-frame or 10-frame equipment. It gives the bees a compact space to manage while still allowing the beekeeper to expand vertically as the colony grows.
Product Notes
This hive is assembled using commercial-grade woodenware. Some knots, cracks, surface variations, and natural wood characteristics may be visible and do not affect normal use.
Some areas of the wax dipped woodenware may appear lighter or less coated than others because wax can absorb into the wood differently from piece to piece. The equipment is still wax dipped and protected.
Splits from stapling may occur due to natural wood grain, especially on frames. These do not compromise the structure or usability of the frame.
The wooden frame pieces are intentionally left untreated when wooden-frame options are selected. The wooden frame parts are protected inside the hive, while the foundation receives the Triple Wax coating to encourage bee acceptance and comb building.
Over time, sun and weather exposure may lighten the outer wax appearance. This is cosmetic only and does not mean the wax protection is gone.
This product includes the listed 5-frame hive components only. Bees, feeders, additional hive bodies, honey supers, queen excluders, and other accessories are sold separately unless included with another kit or combo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this 5-frame honey bee hive fully assembled?
Yes. This 5-frame 2-story honey bee hive arrives assembled and ready to set up in your bee yard.
What comes with this 2-story hive?
This hive includes a telescoping lid, inner cover, two 9-5/8" deep hive bodies, 10 Triple Wax Coated frames, and your choice of solid or screened bottom board.
What size are the hive bodies?
The hive bodies are 5-frame 9-5/8" deep boxes.
How many frames are included?
This hive includes 10 total deep frames.
What frame options are available?
You can choose assembled wooden frames with Triple Wax Coated foundation or Triple Wax Coated one-piece plastic frames.
What foundation colors are available?
You can choose natural yellow foundation or black foundation.
Should I choose yellow or black foundation?
Both work for the bees. Black foundation can make it easier to see eggs during brood inspections, while yellow foundation provides a natural beeswax-like appearance that many beekeepers prefer.
What is this hive used for?
This 5-frame 2-story hive is commonly used for nuc colonies, splits, small swarms, resource colonies, queen management setups, and compact colony expansion.
Is this good for nuc colonies?
Yes. The 5-frame size is a practical choice for nuc colonies because it gives smaller colonies a compact space that is easier to occupy, build out, and defend.
Does this hive include a bottom board?
Yes. You can choose either a solid bottom board or a screened bottom board.
Does this hive include a queen excluder?
No. This 5-frame 2-story hive does not include a queen excluder.
Does this hive include honey supers?
No. This setup includes two deep hive bodies. Additional compatible equipment can be added separately based on your beekeeping plan.
Is this hive Double Wax Dipped?
Yes. The major wooden components are Double Wax Dipped for added durability and weather protection.
Are the wooden frames Double Wax Dipped?
No. If you choose wooden frames, the wooden frame pieces are intentionally left untreated because they are protected inside the hive. The foundation receives the Triple Wax coating.
Does this hive need to be painted?
No. The Double Wax Dipped finish protects the woodenware and eliminates the need for painting before use.
Is this compatible with other 5-frame equipment?
Yes. This hive is designed to pair with compatible 5-frame Langstroth-style hive bodies, bottom boards, inner covers, telescoping lids, feeders, and other 5-frame hive components.
Can I use this for catching swarms?
Yes. This 5-frame hive can be used for smaller swarm setups, depending on the size of the swarm and your beekeeping management plan.
Can this be used for overwintering smaller colonies?
Yes, a 5-frame hive can be used for overwintering smaller colonies when properly managed for your climate, colony strength, food stores, and winter preparation plan.
Will the wax color fade over time?
Yes, the outside color may naturally lighten from sun and weather exposure. This is cosmetic only; the wax absorbed into the wood continues helping protect the equipment.
