Many hive designs have been used depending on location, traditions, types and costs of materials, and technology available. Some examples are log hives — hives fashioned from hollowed-out logs; “gums and skeps,” a woven basket covered with a coating of mud, dung and clay; and coiled rope. A problem with these types of hives is the difficulty of extracting honey and monitoring hive health without destroying the colony. Since these types of hives cannot be easily inspected, they are illegal in most states. To be functional for a beekeeper, hives must be able to be inspected for the presence of diseases or parasites.

  The following are seven types of hives that multiple beekeepers in the state are using and/or many people asking about them.  This information provides a description of the hive, basic management of the hive and the pros and cons of its use.