Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: Bill W. on July 20, 2008, 02:08:17 pm
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When I get pieces of comb that aren't tall enough to reach top to bottom in a frame, I don't use them. However, I've seen some pictures from other peoples' cut-outs that show a piece of comb banded in, resting on the bottom bar, with a large gap between the top bar and the top of the comb. What happens with these? Do the bees actually build comb upward and attach the comb to the top? I've never had any luck getting bees to build from the bottom up.
I've also seen pics of frames with starter strips and cut out comb. Do the starter strips make a difference? So far, I've found that if the comb reaches the top bar, they will quickly fix it in place and expand to either side.
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If the hive is strong and has good resources available, they'll close the gaps.
...JP
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yes the bees will fill in, hanging DOWN from the existing comb as they would build natural comb or "foundationless" frames...
I have started using cloth strips to tie in comb based upon reading tips from Thomas somewhere online
Bees will eventually chew it out / works good for situation like you describe
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Rubber bands around the frames work well too. You can have 4 or 5 around the frame by the end bar and then just slide them over when you add the comb. I find I'm always at least one hand short when trying to tie stuff into a frame :-P The bees will chew them off eventually and you will find them on the bottom board.
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My problem is that the chew the rubber bands off before they have secured the smaller pieces in place. I'm thinking about giving wire a try next time. Not as easy to manipulate as rubber bands, but I can't imagine they'll be able t chew through it. ;)
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Wire works fine, the only problem you will see is if you put capped brood in it, you will find dead bees that get trapped behind the wire when they hatch. Not a big deal in the grand scheme, but quite the site to see a row of dead bees with their tongues hangin out.
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Another reason that mediums work nicely...
They will fill the gaps.
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I agree. I have started using mediums for cut-outs unless the hive is truly huge. Medium frames are usually just about perfect for combs that have been built in stud or rafter space.
Still, I often find that the bees have chewed off the rubber bands by the next day. Maybe I need rubber bands with kevlar.
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I use regular rubber bands from Staples, and I've never seen bees chew through them in less than two weeks...generally, after a month, I'm cutting half of them out for them. When I strap in those small pieces of comb, they generally fill in the gap above, no problem. They also do a good job of seaming the two chunks together on one frame. You might need some better rubber bands.