I have thought of other types of TBH bodies and may try some alternatives. When I was constructing the hives, I thought what a lot of work this all was and there must be an easier way. A beekeeper living about 1000km away had tried using old paraffin tins but wasn't successful as he thought there was not enough thermal insulation even though he lives in an area which is almost sub-tropical. I've considered basket hives but can't see how one can get a good horizontal separation between brood and stores. If I come up with any ideas, I'll report on them later.
Price comparisons are more important.
It seems to have entered the country through the port of Cape Town and has spread outwards from here. I don't know quite how far it has got, but I know that my swarms are affected. We also have had some serious bush fires on the Cape peninsula. Because the smoke was around for about a week, the bees had become restless. They are only just now settling down and I think I may have lost some part swarms which may have trekked.