A rash of residences for honey providers (5)

I believe the answer is:

hives

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a rash' is the definition.
(I know that hives is a type of rash)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for hives that I've seen before include "Urticaria; bees' homes" , "Breeding places" , "Nettle-rash" , "Eruption" , "disease" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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