Is the 3/4 inch gap in the topbars normal?

Q. Across the top where the top bars are in place, I have a 3/4" gap.  Is this normal?

A. The ¾ inch gap is an intentional design parameter of the BYH.

There are two reasons for this gap:

1. If the beekeeper is not paying attention, the bees can fill up the entire hive with comb.

In this case the beekeeper would still be able to access the hive due to the ¾ inch gap.

When the combs are built all the way to the back of the hive, the bees will attach the last comb to the "False Back". The ¾ inch gap allows the beekeeper to loosen and pull the False Back away from the last comb into the ¾ inch gap, allowing the false back to be removed and access to the comb.

The False Back comes with the BY hive, it enables the hive space to be adjusted when new bees are installed and to create a smaller space for the bees to heat during the winter. The False Back should always be located at the far back of the hive during the summer/fall months to close off the hive. This keeps other bees and wasps from robbing the hive.

2. Carlos Steybe, our hive maker, wanted a margin for the expansion of the wood due to humidity.