A Warré hive (pronounced war ray) is a vertical top bar hive that uses bars instead of frames, usually with a wooden wedge or guide for bees to build their own comb, just like in nature. Warré hives are ideal for beekeepers seeking a low-cost, low-maintenance design. They require minimal inspections, no expensive extractor, and no chemical-laden foundation.
Boxes are added to the bottom, a process called (nadiring), allowing comb to be naturally harvested and renewed. This helps prevent buildup of old comb, beeswax, and environmental toxins over time. This approach also gives the colony the space it needs to grow naturally and store honey.
Our Warré hive boxes include viewing windows so you can observe your honeybees without opening the hive body. Ideal for hands-off beekeeping, they help you know when it’s time to add new boxes as the colony grows. We recommend positioning windows away from the entrance to avoid standing in the bees’ flight path.
BeeBuilt hives come standard with a 100% waterproof composite aluminum roof with reversible panels for summer and winter. Turn the light side up to reflect heat or the dark side to attract warmth. The peaked design sheds rain easily, and the durable composite never needs painting or finishing. It also helps support seasonal insulation as part of the overall hive system.
Most readily available Warré hives are built with butt joints or nails and glue. We know from experience that rabbet joints and screws provide superior quality and durability. This construction better supports the long-term strength of the overall Warré design.
Keeping moisture out of the bottom of the hive is a must. Our Warré hives come with precision-milled feet that screw into the bottom board to prop the hive up off the ground. You can choose to put your hive on a stand, or simply rest the whole hive with the feet directly on the ground.
Wedge top bars are the most effective and strongest design, promoting beautiful, straight comb attachment and longevity. Our wedge bars are made from a single piece of wood, no gluing or staple construction, allowing for optimum quality and stability as bees draw natural wax comb.
We use durable, bee-friendly wood sourced just hours from our Pacific Northwest mill. All options are FSC® certified, meaning they come from responsibly managed forests that protect ecosystems, support communities, and ensure long-term sustainability. This helps ensure the hive’s core components are built to last.
A Warré hive can suit a new beekeeper who wants simpler hive management and a slower, more hands-off approach to natural beekeeping.
Unlike Langstroth hives that use stacked boxes with langstroth frames, a Warré hive uses smaller warre boxes with bars and a more minimal warre design.
The main benefits of a Warré hive are simpler hive management, natural comb building, and a quilt box design that supports moisture control in this bee-friendly beehive.
Bees in a Warré hive are typically fed with a feeder placed above the colony so the brood area is disturbed as little as possible.
A Warré hive, also called the People’s Hive, may be right for you if you want a low-intervention style, are comfortable managing one or more boxes, and value natural beekeeping over maximum honey production.
A natural, low-intervention way to keep bees
If you’re leaning toward a Warré Hive, explore the full details, materials, and options to find the right setup for you.
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Your First Warré Hive
Hive Placement
Warré Hive Management
