Essentials Kit: Lyson 8/9 Usmb

Based on an Australian design, the Lyson 8/9 hive system is made to hold 9 frames in brood boxes and 8 or 9 frames in honey supers.

In brood boxes, we recommend using 9 frames or 8 frames plus two follower boards against the box sides. In honey supers, use 9 frames of foundation or 8 frames of drawn comb. Be sure to space frames evenly.

Polystyrene construction provides excellent insulation against cold winters and hot summers. The interlocking boxes have reinforced top and bottom surfaces, which pry apart easily with a hive tool. A piece of cloth or plastic is used as an inner cover. An eight frame plastic queen excluder fits nicely between the interlocking boxes.

This unassembled kit is great for starting as a beekeeper. It includes:

• Bottom board with removable tray for varroa testing and ventilation
• Mouse guard/entrance reducer/closure
• Two deep hive bodies (with assembly screws)
• A choice of frame and foundation types
• Cloth inner cover
• 8 frame plastic queen excluder
• Outer Cover
• 8 polystyrene plugs and 8 black plastic venting plugs for hive bodies and outer cover

Selecting all plastic frames and foundation includes 18 frames. Wooden frame selections include 2 - 10 packs of frames with foundation and nails.

It comes unpainted but we recommend painting with an exterior grade latex paint.

Hive outside dimensions are 27 1/2" high x 22 1/2" deep x 16 1/8" wide.

Hive internal dimensions are 21 1/2" high x 18 3/8" deep x 13" wide.

Hive weight without frames is 19 1/2 pounds.

Please note: The 8/9 Lyson hive system is not compatible with other polystyrene systems. However, some 8 frame wooden components can be used. Standard 8 frame wooden boxes fit without creating gaps. Wooden 8 frame feeding shims and inner covers can also be used. Some bee space dimensions are not maintained when other components are used. We recommend using a strap to secure the hive as the wood components will not interlock with the Lyson 8/9 boxes.