Bees will build anywhere — owl boxes, squirrel boxes, walls, water meters, flower pots, even old pickup trucks. I got into beekeeping through live removals, and I’ve seen bees make their homes in just about everything.
But here’s the thing: beekeeping, at its core, is simple. The bees don’t need much — just a dry, covered space to start building comb and raising brood. That could be a Langstroth hive, a top bar, a hollow log like Polish beekeepers still use, or even a carved-out niche in a cave wall, like people have done for centuries.
Bees adapt. They figure it out.
Here at CharlieBee, we stick with traditional Langstroth hives — simple, stackable, and proven. But my advice for new beekeepers isn’t about which box to use. It’s this: Don’t do it alone.
The only way to really mess up beekeeping is to try to do it all by yourself. Find a mentor. Find a community. You’ll learn faster, avoid the worst mistakes, and have a lot more fun in the process.
Pick a system. Learn it well. Once you’ve got it down, sure — tweak it. Customize it. Make it yours. But don’t reinvent the wheel before you’ve rolled it a few miles.
Ready to get started?
Whether you’re looking for your first hive, a hands-on class, or just someone to answer your bee questions — we’re here to help.
Charlie Bee Company
694 Smith Falor Rd
Seguin, TX 78155
📞 830.708.8797
Let us help you get your hands in bees — and keep it simple. 🐝