A plastic modular beehive construction including cover plates to enhance insulation from cold temperatures. The construction comprises opposing side and end walls. Outwardly protruding ribs are provided across areas of the outer face of each wall for reinforcement. Pin receivers are also included in selected locations on each outer face. An outwardly facing recess is preferably included in each wall, to define a hand grip. Pronged connectors are provided on the end walls. Recesses are provided on the side walls for receiving the pronged connectors of the end walls. The walls are snapped together, providing a rigid four-sided hive, having an open top and an open bottom. The cover plates, including pins on an inner wall that correspond with the locations of the pin receivers on the walls, are installed over each wall. The plates include a cutout corresponding with the size, configuration, and location of the hand grip recess.
