For backyard beekeepers
with limited space.™

“DIY” Enclosed Apiary Kit – (4-Hive)

Includes Gold-Level Membership!

The HoneyBower “Do-It-Yourself” Four-Hive Enclosed Apiary Kit includes uncut fabric, fasteners, notions, and detailed instructions for making a pattern and sewing the DIY enclosure for the Four-Hive frame described in the HoneyBower Maker’s Guide. (The Maker’s Guide explains how to build the supporting frame, but the materials are not part of the kit.)

Material: The lower walls are made of fire-resistant shade cloth, and the upper walls and top are made of high-quality netting/mesh. The observation windows are made of clear marine vinyl. All material is UV-resistant and recyclable.

Fasteners: The grommets, twist-lock fasteners, snaps, and welded D-rings are made of rust-proof brass. The heavy-duty hook and loop is manufactured for long-term outdoor exposure.

License: Included with the purchase is a non-exclusive license to make one Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal for personal use. The Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal is covered by U.S. Patent: #12173525.

How to Order
Kit components are organized into modular packs so you can choose only the options that you need.  Required components are preselected. For items with multiple options, choose the one you want to include. To add optional items to your kit, mark the checkbox for each item. For View B, make sure to include the packs for additional material.

View A

View A uses the full width of the fire-resistant shade cloth for the lower section of the enclosure. The finished height of the lower section is 32.5 inches.

View B reduces the height of the shade cloth by 6 inches, while increasing the height of the upper walls and upper front panel by the same amount.  The finished height of the lower section is 26.5 inches.

  • For View B, choose the View B Xtra Mesh pack to add the required amount of extra mesh/netting to your order.

Build your kit!

94% Fire-Resistant ExtraBlock Shade Cloth (4-hive)

$169.90
Fire-resistant ExtraBlock shadecloth is used for the lower walls of HoneyBower enclosed apiaries. The fabric meets the NFPA-701 fire-resistance requirements established by the California Fire Marshall and is 100% recyclable.

Mesh / Netting (4-hive)

$71.92
Choose the mesh or netting that you want to use for the rooftop and upper walls of your four-hive enclosed apiary. If you alter the frame to increase the entrance height or reduce the shade cloth height, include the appropriate Xtra package to cover the additional netting required for the alterations.
Clear

View B Xtra Mesh / Netting (4-hive)

$5.93
For View B, adds 24 inches of matching mesh/netting to increase the height of the upper-walls and upper-front panel by 6 inches.
Clear

Practice Pack

$0.99
Swatches of shade cloth and mesh with hook and loop and boning to use for practice sewing.

Front Panel Pack

$12.99
2" heavy-duty hook and loop tape to attach the front panel, and boning to reinforce the corners.

Flight Portal Pack (4-Hive)

$11.88
1" UV-resistant, sew-on hook tape (scratchy side only) to outline the flight portals on each side of the enclosure.

Anchor Strap Pack (4-Hive)

$3.96
Double-sided sticky wrap to anchor the enclosure to the frame.

Cover Pack (4-Hive)

$9.40
Boning and fuzzy loop tape for the flight portal cover.

Window Pack (For 2)

$23.12
Sheet of clear 20-gauge marine vinyl and 1-inch hook and loop for the windows on each side of the enclosure.  The sheet is rolled and packaged in a cardboard tube.

D-Ring Pack (2 Sets)

$7.12
Two-piece 1.5 inch welded brass D-ring  (Pack of 2 sets)

Twist-Lock Pack (14 Sets)

$25.49
Twist-lock fasteners serve as anchor points when the front panel is partially opened, and make it more difficult for small children and raccoons to open the enclosure. They also provide a backup mechanism to hold the front panel in place if the fuzzy side of the hook and loop starts to degrade after years of exposure to the elements. The Twist-Lock Pack includes thirteen DOT® Common Sense®  twist-lock fabric-to-fabric fasteners in Government Black finish, plus one extra for practice. Each fastener has a grommet, washer, turn button, and back plate. Twist-lock fasteners are optional, but recommended.

Snap Pack (13 sets)

$8.99
DOT® Durable brass snaps in Government Black finish. Each snap has a cap, socket, stud, and post. The Snap Pack includes twelve sets for the enclosure, plus one extra for practice. The snaps secure the free edge of the enclosure around the supporting frame on each side of the entrance.  If you don't mind a less polished appearance, you can use zip ties instead.

Grommet Pack (9 Sets)

$2.99
DOT® #4 brass sheet metal grommet with Government Black finish can be used with tent stakes or garden staples to anchor the enclosure to the ground. The Grommet Pack includes eight grommets for the enclosure, plus one extra for practice.

Using an Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal

$10.00
by Claire Condra This narrated and animated interactive ebook presents a convincing case that enclosed apiaries are good for people and bees. The author shares her experience with humorous anecdotes and easy-to-follow instructions that explain how to set up and use an enclosed apiary. With the purchase you receive:
  • Link to the interactive ebook
  • Link to view, print, and download PDF

HoneyBower Maker's Guide

$20.00
by Claire Condra Create your own enclosed apiary! The HoneyBower Maker's Guide covers all aspects of making an enclosed apiary, from building a frame and making a pattern to choosing fabric and fasteners. This PDF-format ebook provides sewing tips and techniques with step-by-step instructions for the first-time seamster.
  • Link to view, download, and print the ebook
  • License to produce an Enclosed Apiary with Configurable Flight Portal for personal use.

Beekeeper Contact Label

$3.99
This weather-proof label provides beekeeper contact information and attaches to the exterior of your apiary enclosure.

From $275.63

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Includes Gold-Level Membership!

The HoneyBower “Do-It-Yourself” Four-Hive Enclosed Apiary Kit includes uncut fabric, fasteners, notions, and detailed instructions for making a pattern and sewing the DIY enclosure for the Four-Hive frame described in the HoneyBower Maker’s Guide.

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