National Hive Accessories

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      52 products
      National Plastic Queen excluder 460x460
      £3.50
      Plastic Mouse Guard Entrance Reducer - Choose Colour
      £3.50
      Mouseguard Galvanised Metal Strip By Thornes
      £2.00
      Galvanised Metal Universal Hive Stand - National, Dadant, Langstroth etc
      £20.00
      Plastic Narrow End Frame Spacers - All Colours
      £8.50
      Beehive Foam Entrance Block Closure - Apifoam by Thomas by Apiculture
      £1.95
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Primrose
      from £12.50
      Wire Queen Excluder 46cm x 46cm – Galvanised Steel Wire
      £11.00
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Cornflower
      from £12.50
      Pair National 10 slot Metal Castellated Spacers for Cedar Hive
      £2.99
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Soft Sage
      from £12.50
      Sold Out
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Willow
      from £12.50
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      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Pale Sage
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Whitewash
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Mustard Yellow
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Beaumont Blue
      from £12.50
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      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Lilac
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Cedar
      from £12.50
      National Plastic Queen Excluder, Thornes
      £4.70
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Baby Pink
      from £12.50
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      B.S National Galvanised Steel Queen Excluder 460x460
      £6.59
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Spruce
      from £12.50
      Galvanised Castellated Mouse Guard – National & Langstroth Hive Entrance Protector
      £1.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Grass Green
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Gold
      from £12.50
      National Hive Entrance Block – British Cedar (Seconds Quality)
      £2.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Seaweed
      from £12.50
      Beehive Paint Wood Stain + Protect - Bristol Blue
      from £12.50

      National Hive Accessories

      Equip, protect and manage your British National beehives with practical National hive accessories for year-round apiary work. Our range includes queen excluders, mouse guards, entrance reducers, hive stands, feeders, dummy boards, frame spacers, bee escapes and other replacement components.

      Designed for the widely used British Standard National hive, these accessories can help with swarm management, colony feeding, winter preparation, honey harvesting, pest protection and routine inspections. Choose from equipment by trusted beekeeping manufacturers including Thornes, Swienty, ANEL, Nicot and Thomas Apiculture.

      Queen excluders for National hives

      A National queen excluder is positioned between the brood box and honey supers. Its openings allow worker bees to pass through while restricting the larger queen, helping keep brood out of the frames intended for honey extraction.

      Plastic, galvanised steel and wire queen excluders are available. Plastic models are lightweight and economical, while rigid metal excluders offer a durable alternative. Whichever material you choose, make sure the excluder lies flat, is fitted the correct way up where applicable and matches the external dimensions of your hive.

      National hive entrance accessories

      Entrance blocks, reducers and National hive mouse guards help beekeepers adjust and protect the colony entrance throughout the year.

      Reducing the entrance can help a small or overwintering colony defend itself against robbing bees and wasps. Metal or plastic mouse guards are commonly fitted during autumn and winter to deter rodents while still allowing worker bees to enter and leave the hive.

      The entrance should remain clear of dead bees and debris, and any guard must provide adequate ventilation. Choose the opening size according to colony strength, weather and seasonal pest pressure.

      Hive stands and apiary support

      A secure beehive stand raises the floor above damp ground and can make colony inspections more comfortable. Keeping the hive level from side to side helps the boxes and frames sit correctly, while a slight forward slope can encourage rainwater to drain away from the entrance.

      Before installing a stand, check its dimensions, load rating and compatibility with your National hive. Position it on firm ground and remember that a full hive containing brood, bees and honey can become very heavy.

      Feeders, dummy boards and frame spacers

      A National hive feeder allows syrup or fondant to be supplied when the colony requires additional food. Feeding decisions should be based on the weight and condition of the colony, available forage and time of year.

      Dummy boards help close unused space at the edge of a brood chamber and can make the final frame easier to remove during an inspection. Castellated spacers hold super frames at regular intervals, while frame runners provide a suitable surface for the frame lugs to rest on.

      Always select accessories intended for the correct box and frame type. Standard National brood frames, National super frames and 14 × 12 frames have different depths, even where the outer hive footprint is similar.

      Accessories for harvesting honey

      Bee escapes and clearer-board fittings help move bees out of full supers before extraction. One-way escape designs allow workers to travel down towards the brood chamber while restricting their return to the honey supers.

      Fit clearing equipment for only as long as needed and follow the instructions for the individual escape. Leaving a clearer board in place unnecessarily may disrupt normal movement within the colony.

      Shop British National beehive accessories

      Find useful additions and replacement parts for beginner, hobby and commercial beekeepers. Gwenyn Gruffydd is a family-run beekeeping business in West Wales, where we manage more than 400 hives and use our day-to-day apiary experience to select dependable beekeeping equipment and National hive parts.

      Frequently asked questions

      Which accessories does a National hive need?

      Essential equipment normally includes frames, foundation, a crown board, roof, floor and entrance block. Queen excluders, feeders, mouse guards, stands, dummy boards and clearing equipment are added according to the colony and season.

      Are all National hive accessories interchangeable?

      Accessories made to British National dimensions are often compatible, but variations exist between wooden and polystyrene hives and between manufacturers. Always check measurements and product compatibility before ordering.

      When should I fit a mouse guard?

      Mouse guards are usually fitted in autumn before rodents begin looking for sheltered winter nesting sites. Remove or adjust them when they are no longer needed and keep the entrance clear.

      Does a National hive always need a queen excluder?

      No. Many beekeepers use one to keep brood out of honey supers, but others manage colonies without an excluder. The decision depends on your beekeeping method and honey-production goals.

      What size queen excluder fits a National hive?

      A British National queen excluder is typically designed for the hive’s square external footprint, commonly around 460 × 460 mm. Check the exact product measurements against your equipment before purchasing.

      Can National accessories be used with a 14 × 12 hive?

      Many accessories that match the outer National footprint can be used with both standard and 14 × 12 hives. Brood frames, foundation and dummy boards must match the deeper 14 × 12 brood box.