In the wild, bees make their hives in hollow trees, caves and other protected areas. They build multiple lobes of wax honeycomb, where they raise their young and store food.
Originally, people kept bees in hollowed-out logs or clay pots, and, later, in the middle ages, in large, bell-shaped baskets called skeps or wooden boxes. Today, the Langstroth hive is the design of choice for hive construction.
Langstroth hives consist of a stack of boxes that open on both the top and bottom, with special frames inside that bees make honeycomb on. The beekeeper places the entire stack on a bottom board and entrance, and then covers it with a lid.
Most Langstroth hives, including the frames, are made of wood. Soft, resinous woods, such as white pine or cypress, are preferable, as they tend to withstand outdoor conditions better and are less expensive.
Sheet metal typically covers the tops of hives, making the hive more durable. Metal screening provides ventilation in the bottom of the hive.
In the past few decades, beekeepers have used injection-molded plastic frames. Manufacturers have recently introduced several new types of hives made completely of plastic.