Hive Components

Parts of our Assembled Longstroth Cedar Beehive

(1)Telescoping Top Cover:

Our telescoping top covers are insulated to enhance heat retention and are designed for easy access to the notched inner cover, which provides ventilation and serves as an upper entrance for the honey bees. Each cover is finished with a durable metal sheet for long-lasting protection.

Our inner cover features a notch that provides the bees with an optional upper entrance, essential for our PNW weather, which can be easily sealed when needed using a piece of cardboard for short-term closure or a plastic strip for longer-term use. It offers insulation and ventilation while creating a barrier between the bees and the outer cover to prevent beeswax from sticking.

Used for honey storage. Contains (10) medium assembled frames and waxed plastic foundations where bees build honeycomb and store surplus honey.

A mesh sheet placed between the brood boxes and the honey super. Allows worker bees to move freely but blocks the queen from laying eggs in the honey storage area.

The main living quarters for the bees. Contains (10) deep frames and waxed plastic foundations where the queen lays eggs and young bees develop.

Additional (10) frame brood chamber to accommodate the growing bee colony. Provides space for brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae) and food storage (pollen and honey).

The base of the hive; supports the upper boxes.

Optional: Screen Bottom Board with removable bottom.

A small wooden strip placed at the hive entrance. Controls hive ventilation and helps guard bees defend against pests or robbing.

Tiger Mountain Bees: Supporting Healthy Honeybee Colonies in the Pacific Northwest

Tiger Mountain Bees is a carefully managed beekeeping operation dedicated to supporting thriving honeybee colonies in a region known for its lush landscapes, moderate climate, and diverse flowering plants. Below is an overview of our operation:


1. Hive Types and Equipment

We use cedar Langstroth hives, known for their standardized, stackable boxes and durability. Our setup includes:

  • Solid and/or screened bottom boards with entrance reducers
  • Two deep brood boxes (for brood rearing and egg-laying by the queen)
  • Honey supers for seasonal honey storage
  • Pine frames with wax-coated plastic foundation
  • A ventilated inner cover and insulated, weatherproof outer cover

During the winter months, we insulate our hives to reduce humidity and prevent condensation two common challenges in the wet Pacific Northwest climate.


2. Location and Setting

Our apiaries are located in Maple Valley, near Historic Hobart, on our 2½-acre property. The hives are positioned along the tree line at the back of the property, providing both wind protection and morning sun exposure.
The surrounding area offers abundant nectar and pollen sources for our bees. The region’s mild, wet winters and cool summers create favorable though sometimes challenging conditions for beekeeping in the Pacific Northwest.


3. Seasonal Management

Beekeeping in the PNW requires flexible management to adapt to a long, damp winter and a short but intense nectar flow season.

  • Spring: Colony buildup, swarm prevention, and supplemental feeding if natural forage is scarce.
  • Summer: Peak honey production from clover, blackberry, wildflowers, and fireweed.
  • Fall: Honey harvesting, Varroa mite treatment, and winter preparation.
  • Winter: Monitoring for moisture buildup and ensuring adequate ventilation.

4. Flora and Forage

The Pacific Northwest offers a rich and diverse forage calendar that supports healthy colonies and flavorful honey production:

  • Early SeasonBigleaf maple, willow, dandelion
  • Mid-Season: Clover, blackberry, lavender
  • Late Season: Fireweed, Himalayan balsam, goldenrod

This botanical diversity yields distinctive local honeys particularly blackberry and wildflower varieties that reflect the regional landscape.


5. Colony Health and Local Challenges

Beekeepers in the PNW face several region-specific challenges that require proactive management:

  • Varroa destructor mites: Regular monitoring and integrated pest management are essential.
  • Moisture control: Managing humidity and preventing condensation during long rainy periods.
  • Forage gaps: Ensuring adequate food stores during variable spring and fall bloom cycles.

Tiger Mountain Bees combines attentive management with an appreciation for the Pacific Northwest’s natural rhythms to maintain strong, resilient colonies and produce high-quality honey that reflects our region’s unique character.