Bee space refers to a specific distance maintained between parallel combs or frames in a beehive that allows honeybees to move and work efficiently within the hive. It was discovered and documented by the Reverend Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, often considered the father of modern beekeeping, in the mid-19th century.
The concept of bee space is critical for beekeepers because it helps prevent bees from building excess or unwanted comb, and it also makes it easier for beekeepers to inspect the hive and remove frames without damaging the honeycomb. The optimal bee space is approximately 5 – 8 mm, which is wide enough for a worker bee to pass through comfortably but too narrow to build comb or fill it with propolis (a resinous substance used by bees to seal gaps in the hive).
When the space between combs is too broad, bees tend to build extra comb to reduce the gap. Conversely, if the space is narrow enough, the bees will fill it with propolis, making it difficult for beekeepers to separate the frames during hive inspections.
The maintenance of bee space is an essential principle in modern beekeeping and is one of the reasons Langstroth’s design of movable frame hives revolutionised the industry. The Langstroth hive design allowed beekeepers to easily remove frames, inspect the colony, and harvest honey with minimal disruption to the bees and the hive structure. This innovation significantly improved the management of beehives and contributed to the development of modern beekeeping practices.