10 frame or 8 frame hives?

[dasmaus]

I'm a young guy in my twenties and am not unaccustomed to lifting heavy objects....by saying this, I ask, what are the main differences (pros/cons) of using ten frame or eight frame hives? Aside from the weight difference of a filled 10 or 8 frame hive, are there other reasons why one might be preferred instead of the other?

[Beaches' Bee-Haven Apiary]

Perhaps less room for pests to hide. I've never used 8-frame equipment for myself (I have worked with it though), but have heard that weight is the main, if not, only factor to using it. If you're worried about weight, my BetterBee Poly 10-frame supers (full of wax, honey & brood) are still lighter that wooden (Brushy Mountain) 8-frame (full of wax, honey & brood).

-Nathanael:cool:

[dasmaus]

Perhaps less room for pests to hide. I've never used 8-frame equipment for myself (I have worked with it though), but have heard that weight is the main, if not, only factor to using it. If you're worried about weight, my BetterBee Poly 10-frame supers (full of wax, honey & brood) are still lighter that wooden (Brushy Mountain) 8-frame (full of wax, honey & brood).

-Nathanael:cool:

I have been warned very very strongly against using plastic frames. I have been told they are unnatural to the bees and they hate them, so that is why I have only considered wood. Have you had luck with plastic frames?

[Jeffzhear]

I bought some NUC's last year that had some plastic frames sprinkled among the other wood frames. The bees didn't seem to mind them a bit...however, I do intend to remove them this year. I am going to stick with wood and foundation or starter strips.

[Michael Bush]

The primary reason is always weight. An eight frame medium is much lighter:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#lighterboxes