The Honey Factory

[Kusanar]

No foundation in Langstroth hives = unharvestable comb.

because they kind of make comb in circles?

 

[R2elk]

because they kind of make comb in circles?

Because they make it in layers that you can't uncap without destroying everything. That and they can make it in such a fashion that you wouldn't be able to remove the frames even for inspection.

 

[duluthralphie]

My brother uses a small wood strip at the top center of each frame for them to build upon.

he claims the bees will build comb straight down from the ridge the strip makes.

 

[MarkJr]

My brother uses a small wood strip at the top center of each frame for them to build upon.

he claims the bees will build comb straight down from the ridge the strip makes.

They will. Just have to keep an eye on it.

 

[duluthralphie]

They will. Just have to keep an eye on it.

What do we look for, when keeping an eye on them?

 

[MarkJr]

What do we look for, when keeping an eye on them?

Make sure they center the comb on the frame. If they build it wavy, cut top and gently bend where you want it.

Ideally foundationless frames get put between two drawn frames. These don't need any attention. Bees draw them without help 99% of the time.

Beesource has a huge bee forum with lots of reading if you're interested

 

[Apis mellifera]

You can run foundation less frames in hives, you can't run frameless. Its illegal in most states ( if not all ) to run frameless because the hives cannot be inspected for AFB or other disease without destroying the hive. Skeps are the old classic hives that are frame less. When running foundation less you can use starter strips as long as the hives are level. In basswood sections or ross rounds you use thin surplus foundation for comb honey. I just run thin surplus medium frames in supers for comb honey.

 

[duluthralphie]

You can run foundation less frames in hives, you can't run frameless. Its illegal in most states ( if not all ) to run frameless because the hives cannot be inspected for AFB or other disease without destroying the hive. Skeps are the old classic hives that are frame less. When running foundation less you can use starter strips as long as the hives are level. In basswood sections or ross rounds you use thin surplus foundation for comb honey. I just run thin surplus medium frames in supers for comb honey.

I have made some up but not used them yet. I was thinking of sandwiching them between two foundationed frames. I must be a genius, or I read it somewhere. I can’t really recall.

You can run foundation less frames in hives, you can't run frameless. Its illegal in most states ( if not all ) to run frameless because the hives cannot be inspected for AFB or other disease without destroying the hive. Skeps are the old classic hives that are frame less. When running foundation less you can use starter strips as long as the hives are level. In basswood sections or ross rounds you use thin surplus foundation for comb honey. I just run thin surplus medium frames in supers for comb honey.

Some one inspects your hives?

 

[R2elk]

Some one inspects your hives?

Wyoming requires a permit for keeping bees. The hobbyist permit is free. One of the reasons for requiring for a permit for hobbyists is so they can inspect the hives.

 

[duluthralphie]

Wyoming requires a permit for keeping bees. The hobbyist permit is free. One of the reasons for requiring for a permit for hobbyists is so they can inspect the hives.

We have no such thing! Yay us!