Editing Horizontal top-bar hive (section)

====Hive inspection====
A top-bar hive is inspected by lifting the bars of comb individually. Some beekeepers start their inspection at any one of the bars, and can be completed over several sessions. Others start at either the front of the hive, against the wall or divider, or at the rear of the combs. This way the beekeeper can see and cut any side attachments before moving the first comb. Side attachments can be cut with a conventional hive tool; using a specially-made tool long enough to reach the bottom of the hive, but with a narrow "leg" at the bottom, is more efficient. More than one bar can be separated from the side walls at a time. The use of smoke is commonly recommended.

Inspection of the combs can be carried out with far less disturbance to the bees than is the case with multi-storey hives, since only a small amount of the hive is exposed at any one time. Some hives incorporate a viewing glass window in the side of the hive that allows for observation without opening the hive itself, since in theory the combs do not get attached to the sloping sides.

The top-bars rest freely on the hive walls without spacers, which means that the top-bars can be slid easily along the length of the hive during the inspection, without altering the sequence of the combs, and non-inspected bars need not be lifted out of the way to gain access to other bars.

As part of the "natural beekeeping" concept, some beekeepers recommend opening the brood area only once a year.<ref name="Fedor Lazutin p 321"/>