For some time now, I've been using this technique to make standard 'deep' frames 'foundationless'. I've found the benefits to doing this are many but here are some of them:
1. Using a 'starter strip' the bees jump onto this during the Spring build up and will draw these out in a about 3 weeks with a strong hive. This gives them something to do and I feel it may discourage the swarm impulse.
2. Fresh comb is built by the bees using the cell size that they want. I wonder if this helps with varroa mitigation. I am always surprised to see feral colonies on my place that are 'living wild' with no treatment! Makes you wonder!
3. A deep frame of drawn/honey packed with make 8 cut comb pieces with a little left over for the press to get that left over honey.
4. Frames are re-used and thus saves time and money.
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The first step in the process is clean the old frames up. This can be tricky because the wax is often very hard and difficult to remove - especially in the grove in the top bar of the frame. I've found a great solution. Using a small 'steam generator' I setup a double boxed arrangement as a frame 'sauna' to melt the wax and to sanitize it.
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| Simple Frame Steamer Setup |
They sit in the steamer for about 1 hour and by then the wax stuck on the frame easily comes out. A hive tool or frame pick is perfect for cleaning these out. Plus, you can put these scraps back into the melter for remelt and re-use.
I usually put the frames in the direct sun to complete dry out before moving on to the next step
A long time ago, I found a couple of crock pots at a yard sale for wax melting and filtering. A perfect use of 5 bucks and these are dedicated to this task from now on. Here you see my wax setup and prepped frames ready to get their wax starter strip. I mark these frames withs some paint and write the year date on them for quick reference during hive inspections.
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| Wax Melting Station Setup |
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