There are bees in my living room. If I told you, you would probably think I have some other kind of infestation. But actually theres a company that creates indoor beehives that you can mount onto your wall. Not only does it give bees a safe place to live and make honey, but it’s also really cool to look at every day as you walk by.
Credit: Beecosystem
This one-of-a-kind indoor wall-mounted beehive is made and sold by the company Beecosystem. They come in single octagon-shaped hives or larger systems with multiple connected octagon hives for a more complex system.
Credit: Beecosystem
The indoor beehive design is meant to let people see how a beehive works and teach both adults and children about bees. It’s also a great way to start a conversation about bees and how important they are to the environment.
Credit: Beecosystem
The indoor beehive is attached to the wall of your home, and a small tube is put through the window so the bees can come and go. An entry on the outside allows the bees an easy way to get into the Beecosystem!.
Credit: Beecosystem
The Beecosystem has to be attached to the wall within 4 feet of any double-hung window. However, it’s best to be as close to the window as possible so the bees don’t have to travel too far to get to the hive.
Credit: Beecosystem
Having a beehive on your window is an increasingly popular way to get up close with nature’s hardest workers – honey bees! With bee populations declining, installing an indoor beehive offers the bees a safe place to pollinate and produce honey while allowing you to witness their captivating world.
What Is A Window Beehive?
A window beehive is essentially a conventional beehive that is mounted on the inside of your home and connected to the outdoors through a tube or tunnel. The beehive box itself is attached to the wall close to a window while the tunnel is passed through the window to the outside, allowing the bees to come and go freely.
The internal beehive contains the honeycomb frames where the bees work their magic, storing honey and raising their brood You’re able to observe all their activity through a glass or plastic window built into the hive box It’s an up close look at the mesmerizing productivity of a colony at work!
Why Have A Beehive On Your Window?
There are many great reasons to install an indoor beehive
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Help Save The Bees – Bee populations worldwide are under threat, so providing them a protected space to thrive helps preserve these essential pollinators.
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Observe Nature Up Close – Watching the comings and goings of a hive lets you get up close with nature in a safe and convenient way. It’s endlessly fascinating!
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Educational Experience – Beehives allow kids and adults alike to learn about bees and their critical ecological roles. It’s a interactive way to connect with nature.
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Collect Honey – Enjoy the reward of fresh, raw honey harvested straight from your own hive!
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Conversation Starter – A beehive on display is sure to spark interest and be a unique focal point. Great for getting people talking!
How To Install A Window Beehive
Installing a window beehive requires careful planning but is definitely achievable even for beginners. Here are some tips:
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Choose a well-ventilated location preferably on the warmer, sunnier side of your home. Bees thrive in warmer conditions.
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Ensure there is a clear flight path from the hive entrance outside to flowering plants, trees and fresh water sources.
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Pick a window that can accommodate the bee tunnel. Sliding or hung windows often work best.
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Mount the hive box securely to the wall within around 4 feet of the window.
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Insert the plastic bee tunnel through the window opening. Seal gaps around it to avoid drafts.
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Attach the tunnel securely at both ends – to the hive entrance and the outside exit.
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Set up landing strips, ideally with “bee attractant” scents. This helps guide the bees into their new home.
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Introduce a starter colony once the hive is fully prepped and ready for its buzzing newcomers!
Window Beehive Designs
There are some great ready-made window beehive options that take the guesswork and DIY effort out of setting up your own.
The Classic Octagonal Window Hive
This distinctive octagonal hive design mounts neatly on any wall and includes all the key components like the tunnel and basic inspection window. It’s compact enough for urban homes yet accommodates a healthy colony.
![Octagonal window beehive][]
An octagonal window-mounted beehive. Image source by Beecosystem via Flickr, used under CC BY 2.0 license
Modular Expandable Hives
For larger yields, some window hives feature expandable modular hexagonal boxes that bolt together allowing you to increase hive capacity over time.![Modular hexagonal window beehive][]
A modular hexagonal window beehive design. Image source by Beecosystem via Flickr, used under CC BY 2.0 license
Multi-Tier Hives
Vertical multi-tier window hives allow you to stack beehive boxes on top of each other, multiplying your yield potential. Just be sure to leave adequate flying room for the bees to maneuver in and out. ![Multi-tier vertical window beehive][]
A stacked multi-tier vertical window beehive. Image source by Beecosystem via Flickr, used under CC BY 2.0 license
Caring For Your Window Beehive
Once your new tenants move in, you’ll need to provide some ongoing care for your window beehive:
- Supplement feed during leaner months when flower supplies are down. Feed bees a natural nectar substitute or sugar syrup.
- Inspect regularly to check honey stores, spot any parasites like mites, and see if comb needs replacing. Do so gently to avoid disturbing the hive.
- Harvest honey carefully in summer/fall when caps are sealed. Leave enough for the bees to feed through winter.
- Add space by stacking modules as the colony grows over warm months.
- Keep the “front yard” tidy so bees have a clear flight path to flowers and water.
With attentive care and maintenance, your window beehive can produce sweet rewards for years while giving nature a helping hand!
Enjoy The Buzz Of Urban Beekeeping
Installing a beehive on your window is an incredibly rewarding way to bring a tiny part of the countryside into your own home. Watching “your” bees flourish while producing delicious honey is deeply satisfying.
When done properly, a window hive benefits the bees just as much by giving them a predator-proof abode in which to thrive. It’s a win-win for both bees and bee-lovers alike!
You can snag the indoor beehive from around $780 bucks for a single octagon hive from their online shop!
Credit: Beecosystem
After you’ve hung the Beecosystem, just measure the length to your window and cut the included bee transfer tube to fit between them!
Credit: Beecosystem
The indoor beehive kit comes with an insulated foam block that you can put in your window to keep it from being wide open all the time, especially when the heat or air conditioning is on.
Credit: Beecosystem
DIY Bee Hive Observation Windows | The Green Acre
FAQ
How to get rid of bees nest in window?
Why are bees hanging around my window?
Why do bees land on windows?
How do you install a bee hive window?
Router out the hinge area by 2 mm to allow the window to sit right up against the frame. Screw the piano hinge into the frame. Prop up the window to the same level as the frame and drill pilot holes into the side of the window. Next, screw the window to the piano hinge. This is a good point to check that the bee hive frames fit into the hive.
What is the design of an indoor beehive?
The indoor beehive design is a way to observe the inner workings of a bee hive and help educate both adults and kids about bees. It also serves as a great conversation starter about bees and their important role in the environment.
How does an indoor beehive function?
An indoor beehive functions by mounting to the wall inside your house and a small tube getting strung through your window to allow the bees to come and go. An entry on the outside provides the bees with an easy way to get into the beehive system. (Credit: Beecosystem)
How long should a beehive window be?
You’ll need to long windows that are close to the length of a standard beehive frame, which 480 mm in length. Measure the height and width of the window, you’ll use these measurements for the outside from of the hive. Next, measure and mark the height of the outer frame using 70×45 mm timber. Cut to the length the needed length for the two sides.
Should I build my own observation bee hive?
You may decide to build your own observation bee hive – which is a great idea as long as you follow a good plan and keep bee space in mind – the same as building any beehive. A temporary (show and tell) event does not require much maintenance. However, a permanently installed unit requires more work.
How do you Hive a bee?
Take it to the apiary to the hive you plan to use as a resource. Gently use your bee smoker to calm the colony and proceed as you would with a regular hive inspection. Find the frame with the queen and hopefully lots of nurse bees. The frame should also have a bit of capped honey. Gently place it in your observation hive and close it up.