Using Frames Without Grooves and Holes

Before using frames without grooves and holes, they need to be assembled correctly. Follow the instructions for "Assembly of Mini-Frames and Preparation for Use."

For using frames without grooves and holes, we will use ready honeycomb-filled frames obtained from regular store frames. In this case, it is convenient to stretch the wire in store frames not horizontally but vertically, with a step equal to the width of the mini-frame. Later, when cutting honeycomb-filled honey, the wire will serve as a guide, allowing you to easily cut a straight piece of honeycomb of the required size. Of course, you can use store frames with wire stretched in the "classic" way.

Cut honeycombs with sealed honey from store frames and place them on a tray or another container. Then, cut the honeycombs into pieces the size of mini-frames, considering that the pieces of honeycomb should fit into the frames with a small gap. Use any sharp knife made of stainless steel for this purpose.

For each cut piece of honeycomb, place a mini-frame. To secure the honeycomb in the mini-frame, insert a sewing needle into the corner and fix the honeycomb in place.

Next, place the mini-frames with honeycomb for the bees. It is convenient to use a special tray that will serve as a cover for the mini-frames in the bee hive. The tray can be made of plywood with a thickness of 4-6 mm.

Next, lift the tray to the hive and in the same sequence, arrange the mini-frames with honeycomb on the top bars of the hive frames. The mini-frames should be placed tightly next to each other. The gap between rows should be 10 mm. Then cover the mini-frames with the tray as a lid. Bees will take care of spilled honey and attach the wax-sealed honey to the planks of the mini-frames, eliminating gaps between the mini-frames and honeycomb pieces

After 1-2 days, the frames are ready.

If the mini-frames with honeycomb are kept in the hive for more than three days and a feeder is used, bees will fill and seal absolutely all cells. However, our experience shows that mini-frames with a few empty cells look more natural and are more popular with buyers.

Using a feeder is mandatory; otherwise, bees may carry honey from the frames into the hive. This happens if the bribe is weak or has run out. The feeder should be placed above the frames so that the path of bees from the hive to the feeder passes through the frames, and the bees feel the frames placed in the hive.

Instead of a tray-lid, you can use a regular hive super with small nails driven into the inner sides. The nails are used as supports. Place a plywood sheet on them. The plywood must have a hole for bees to pass to the feeder.