Our Story

The Story Behind Multi-Guard

In the summer of 2022, we came together with a shared mission: to solve the ongoing challenges faced by beekeepers. As a beekeeper, Natalie was frustrated with the constant battle to protect her hives from threats like wasps, hornets, pesticides, mice and more. Every day presented a new challenge, from ill-fitting entrance blocks to the stress of sealing hives with Gaffer tape, and all the while, her bees were often exposed to unnecessary harm and disturbance.

Colin, a structural engineer, recognised the frustration of seeing so many beekeepers struggle with the same issues. He understood that a better solution was needed — one that could reduce stress for both the bees and the beekeeper. Michael, with career background in Computer Aided Design (CAD), joined us to bring our ideas to life. With his expertise, we were able to turn our vision into something tangible.

Together, we set out to create a solution that would make beekeeping less stressful, more efficient, and more sustainable for everyone involved.

Designing a Better Way

We started by brainstorming ideas together. With Natalie’s hands-on experience in the hive, Colin’s structural expertise, and Michael’s design skills, we were able to combine our strengths and build the foundation for the Multi-Guard. We didn’t just design it for us — we wanted to make sure it worked for every beekeeper. We gathered feedback from other beekeepers, fine-tuning each detail and making sure our design was practical, durable, and easy to use.

Colin focused on the structural integrity, ensuring the product was strong and functional. Michael brought the design to life, using CAD to ensure precision at every step. After countless prototypes, we arrived at a product that we’re incredibly proud of — one that makes hive protection easy, efficient, and less stressful for both bees and beekeepers.

Improving Not Reinventing

We made the Multi-Guard in a range of colours. These colours help bees easily identify their hives, reducing drift and minimizing the spread of disease. We carefully selected colours that bees can see, while avoiding red, which is difficult for them to detect.

A Commitment to Quality and Sustainability

Sustainability has always been at the heart of what we do. We made the decision to source everything locally from UK-based suppliers, ensuring that every part of the Multi-Guard is made with care and respect for the environment. From the bespoke cardboard packaging to the recycled plastics used in injection molding, we focus on using high-quality materials that are durable and designed to last.

Our packaging partner, based in Mereworth, Kent, shares our commitment to sustainability, using recyclable materials that can even be burned in a smoker without releasing harmful chemicals. 

Our manufacturing partner, based nearby in Rochester, Kent, ensures the Multi-Guard is made to withstand the elements, with UV protection and durability built into every product.

Our Vision

Our vision at Hive-Five is simple: to make a positive impact on beekeeping while minimizing our impact on the planet. As beekeepers, we care deeply about the environment and the vital role bees play in it.

We believe the Multi-Guard can make a real difference in the beekeeping community — reducing stress for both bees and beekeepers, and helping to protect these essential creatures for future generations.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can help safeguard the bees that make our world a better place.

Happier Beekeeping,
Natalie, Colin, and Michael