8 Frame Beehive Expansion Kit - Fully Assembled | Blythewood Bee Company

The 8-Frame Beehive Expansion Kit from Blythewood Bee Company is built for established beekeepers ready to add a second hive to their apiary. Each kit ships fully assembled — paint it, add a package of honeybees, and you're producing honey from another colony this season.

What's Included in Your 8-Frame Beehive Expansion Kit

• Screened bottom board
• Reversible entrance reducer
• Deep brood chamber
• Honey super
• 8 deep frames with Acorn plastic foundation
• 8 medium frames with Acorn plastic foundation
• Insulated inner cover
• Telescoping lid

Who This Expansion Kit Is For

This kit is designed for beekeepers who already own basic equipment — smoker, hive tool, protective gear — and just need another complete hive setup. Skip paying for tools you already have. If you're brand new to beekeeping, you'll want our 8-Frame Beginner Starter Kit instead, which includes all the accessories.

What's Inside the Kit

Screened Bottom Board

The screened bottom board serves as the floor of your hive, supporting the brood chamber and honey supers above. The mesh screen does double duty — ventilating the hive through hot Southern summers and letting varroa mites fall through and out, giving you a passive, chemical-free assist with mite control.

Reversible Entrance Reducer

The reversible entrance reducer protects your colony when it's most vulnerable. During winter and nectar dearths, a smaller entrance prevents robbing from stronger neighboring hives and blocks mice and other pests. Rotate it 90 degrees to switch between a medium and small opening as conditions change.

Deep Brood Chamber

The deep brood chamber is the heart of your colony — where the queen lays eggs and brood develops. Built from select-grade Southern yellow pine with no knots or defects, it's engineered to last through years of seasonal swings.

Honey Super

The honey super (also called the feeder chamber) is where your bees store surplus honey — the part you'll eventually harvest. Made from the same select-grade yellow pine as the brood chamber, with no knots or defects to compromise the structure.

Deep and Medium Frames with Acorn Foundation

You get 8 deep frames and 8 medium frames, all select-grade wood paired with Acorn's triple-waxed plastic foundation. Acorn is widely considered the industry standard — bees accept it readily and build straight, uniform comb on it, which makes inspections faster and honey extraction easier.

Insulated Inner Cover

The insulated inner cover sits beneath the lid and stops bees from propolizing the telescoping cover shut, saving you a struggle at every inspection. Built from yellow pine and 1/4-inch plywood. With the addition of a bee escape device, it doubles as an escape board for honey harvest.

Telescoping Lid

The heavy-duty telescoping lid caps your hive and extends past the box edges, directing rain away from the hive walls rather than letting it run inside. Built to weather years of outdoor exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an expansion kit and a starter kit?

The expansion kit includes only the hive itself — no smoker, hive tool, jacket, or gloves. It's designed for beekeepers who already own accessories and just need another hive. If this is your first hive, the starter kit is the better value.

Does this kit come painted?

No — it ships unpainted so you can choose your exterior color. Most beekeepers use exterior latex paint in a light color (white or light yellow) to reflect heat. Paint only the outside; never paint interior surfaces or anywhere bees will contact.

Is this kit compatible with my existing 8-frame hives?

Yes. This is a standard Langstroth 8-frame setup with industry-standard dimensions. It integrates seamlessly with any existing 8-frame Langstroth equipment from any major supplier.

How many bees do I need to fill this hive?

A standard 3-pound package (roughly 10,000 bees) with a mated queen is enough to start. If you're splitting from an existing colony, 3-4 frames of brood and bees from your established hive will populate the new setup.

Do I need to assemble anything?

No. Every box, frame, cover, and component arrives fully assembled. Paint the exterior, install your bees, and you're done.