When Glint Gateway switched from pine to eucalyptus hive bodies in 2021, it was not a marketing decision. It was the result of two years of feedback from customers in Bahia, Espírito Santo, and the coastal regions of São Paulo who were finding their pine hive bodies warping by the second season. This article explains the practical differences between the two materials and when each makes sense.

Why wood choice matters in a hive body

A hive body that warps loses its tight fit with the super above it and the bottom board below it. Gaps in the hive body allow drafts, pests, and moisture to enter. In a well-maintained apiary, a warped hive body is a nuisance. In a remote apiary that is inspected monthly, it can lead to significant colony losses. The wood choice is therefore not a cosmetic decision.

Pine: the traditional choice

Paraná pine (Araucaria angustifolia) has been the standard material for Brazilian hive bodies for decades. It is light, easy to work, and widely available. Unpainted pine hive bodies in dry inland regions, such as the cerrado of Minas Gerais and Goiás, hold up well for five or more seasons. The problem is humidity. In coastal regions and in the humid summers of the Southeast, unpainted pine absorbs moisture and begins to warp within one to two seasons. Painting extends the life significantly, but many hobbyist beekeepers do not paint their hive bodies promptly after purchase.

Eucalyptus: the practical upgrade

Eucalyptus (specifically Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus saligna, the species most commonly used for timber in Brazil) is denser than Paraná pine and absorbs moisture more slowly. In our own apiary in Ribeirão Preto, eucalyptus hive bodies that have been through four wet seasons show no measurable warping. The trade-off is weight: a eucalyptus hive body is approximately 15% heavier than a pine equivalent, which matters if you are moving hives frequently for pollination services.

Cost comparison

Our eucalyptus Langstroth body is priced at R$ 145, compared to R$ 110 for the pine equivalent. Over a five-year period, assuming one pine body needs replacement at year two due to warping and one eucalyptus body does not, the eucalyptus option is cheaper in total. This calculation changes if you are in a dry inland region where pine holds up well.

Our recommendation

For beekeepers in the Southeast, Northeast coast, and South: eucalyptus. For beekeepers in the dry cerrado regions of Central-West and inland Minas Gerais: pine is a reasonable choice if painted promptly. For anyone who is not sure: eucalyptus is the lower-risk option. The primer coat option we added in June 2026 reduces the risk further for customers who may not paint immediately after delivery.

Both eucalyptus and pine hive bodies are in stock. If you are unsure which is right for your region, contact us and we will give you a straight answer based on where you are keeping bees.