Editing Horizontal top-bar hive (section)

===Comparisons with hive systems using vertical "supers" and conventional frames===

The initial costs and equipment requirements are typically much less than other hive designs. Scrap wood can often be used to build a good hive, and top bars are easy to make out of scrap timber. Horizontal hives do not require the beekeeper to lift super boxes; all usual checks and manipulation can be done while lifting only one comb at a time and with minimal bending. In areas where large land animals (such as [[ratel]]s and [[bear]]s) present a threat to beehives, single-box hives may be suspended out of reach. Elsewhere, they are commonly raised to a level that allows the beekeeper to inspect and manipulate them in comfort. Since no seasonal storage of honey collection boxes ("supers") is needed, nor is a [[centrifuge|centrifugal extractor]] commonly used, the equipment budget and storage space requirements are greatly reduced. Time and money may not need to be spent wiring foundation into frames.

A top bar hive can also be rapidly converted to two or even three mini hives, called a nucleus hive, by placing bee-tight dividers within the hive, and allowing access to independent entrances. This may avoid the need to purchase and store such nucleus hives.

Disadvantages include (usually) unsupported combs that cannot be spun in most honey extractors. It is not usually possible to expand the hive if additional honey storage space is required. Most horizontal hives cannot easily be lifted and carried by one person.