Lifting Beehive Boxes

Lifting beehives from the ground can be a painful experience because it can put strain on the low back or the neck. Boxes with 10 frames can weigh 80 pounds

For people with neck pain or back pain, using a box that contains eight frames instead of 10 frames will reduce the weight by 20%. The use of a medium box instead of a deep box will reduce the weight by about a third.

Another trick that will help increase handling stability of the boxes is to attach wooden handles to the box. These are made from one by two lumber screwed into the side of the box, instead of using the ground in hand holds.

Using a hive stand to keep the boxes off the ground will also help, as the force put on your spine increases as a person bends lower.

When lifting a bee box, it is important to lift with your shoulders back your head looking up , and your abdominal muscles tightened.

slide the box onto your leg, then up the thigh to your waist. Keeping the box against your body and your back arched will take the pressure off your discs and lower the chances of pinching a nerve.