Mud Hive: An Eco-friendly Approach for Apis mellifera

The stationary mud hive, designed as a non-transportable alternative to the BIS wooden hives, adheres to the same frame dimensions. A site with direct sunlight is chosen, and the hive is built using a mud mixture, iron planks, and standard Indian bricks (7.5 × 3.54 × 3.54 inches). A brick with a bee entry gate (6 × 2 inches) is made. The entire structure is then layered with mud, providing effective thermal insulation. After drying and sintering for strength, it holds up to 10 BIS frames. This traditional construction approach offers a reliable and environmentally sustainable alternative to modern beekeeping methods.