Foundationless comb building crooked
Building straight and uniform combs on foundationless frames can be challenging for bees. Foundationless beekeeping allows bees to build comb naturally, but they may not always build straight combs aligned with the frame. Crooked or irregular combs can make frame manipulation difficult, hinder hive inspections, and create cross-combing between frames. Factors influencing crooked comb building include hive levelness, frame placement, and lack of guidance for comb direction. Providing guidance and ensuring proper hive setup are important for encouraging straight comb construction on foundationless frames.
- Starter strips4
Using starter strips on foundationless frames provides bees with a guide to build straight combs along the frame. Starter strips are narrow strips of wax or plastic foundation attached to the top bar of foundationless frames. These strips provide a template for bees to begin comb construction,…
📌 diy4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Starter strips, frame assembly tools
- Level hives3
Ensuring hives are level is crucial for encouraging bees to build straight combs on foundationless frames. Uneven hives can cause bees to build crooked combs to compensate for gravity. When a hive is tilted, bees may build comb at an angle to keep cells horizontal for honey and brood storage.…
📌 none4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Level
- Frame placement2
Strategic frame placement within the hive can guide bees to build straight combs on foundationless frames. When introducing foundationless frames, placing them between straight, drawn combs acts as a template. Bees are more likely to build new comb parallel to existing straight combs. Alternating…
📌 none4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ None