BEE SPACE HELP

[DANIEL QUINCE]

I was playing with the table saw today and I made 8 SBB with a bottom entrance. When I was done I realized that I didnÂ’t allow any bee space on top of the screen. What is the recommended space under frames? I assume is more than 3/8 to give more space in the winter time for the defunct. I will have to extend the top of the base with that distance, pretty easy to do, and IÂ’ll fix my drawings, so if anybody has an interest, let me know and I can e-mail the details. I donÂ’t know how to post them here yet.
Thank you
Daniel

[Sundance]

3/8" will get er done.......

[Michael Bush]

Anything from 1/4" to 7/8" will work on the bottom board. Elsewhere it should be between 1/4" and 3/8". A reversible bottom is 3/8" on one side and 3/4" on the other. Most SBB I've seen are just 3/4". Mice get in less with the 3/8" opening.

[jamiev]

Speaking of space, my eight frame hive has significant space left over after 8 frames are put in. How do i distribute the frames? Tight in the center? spread out in equal spaces? all the space on one side or the other? There is not quite enough space for another frame.

[power napper]

Push them tight together in the middle.

[jamiev]

Thanks Power Napper. Do the bees fill the extra space on either end and should I keep it open?

[Michael Bush]

>Tight in the center?

Yes.

>There is not quite enough space for another frame.

Shave a hair off of each frame and you can put nine in. That's what I do. smile.gif

>Do the bees fill the extra space on either end and should I keep it open?

The bees will fill it with thicker comb on the outside frames. But if you try to keep frames of foundation on one end you'll make it easier to inspect without rolling bees. In other words when they start filling it out, pull it and move it up a box.

Another option is to make a follower board to go on one end. This will fill the space and make it easier to inspect. I'd put it on the North or West side.

[sqkcrk]

jamiev, what do you consider significant? One inch? One and one quarter inch? Three quarters of an inch?

Not being able to see what you mean, I'd space the frames evenly in the super, just like people do with nine frames in a ten frame super. Just like people do with the metal frame spacers. Just do it by hand.

Michael, "tight in the center"? Wouldn't this likely leave space that a bridge comb would be built? I guess that "tight in the center" would leave half of the "significant space" that jamiev originally asked about, on each side of the super. So maybe you'd end up with about the same thing as evenly spacing the frames. Ya think?

[Michael Bush]

>Not being able to see what you mean, I'd space the frames evenly in the super

But with foundation they are more likely to build on the foundation if you crowd them together. Once it's drawn you can do as you like and in a super I'd put seven or even six frames evenly spaced. You can buy spacers from Brushy Mt for seven in an eight frame box or make or buy a "comb" that is made for spacing them 8 or 9 (they make both) in a ten frame box and cut it for 7 or 6 in an eight frame box.

>Wouldn't this likely leave space that a bridge comb would be built?

On the ends? Yes. That's why I'd try to keep one end just a frame with foundation for easy removal and extra space. You can swap it up a box or two when it's partially drawn. But even if you fail to do this, it's less of a mess than when they decide to bridge every frame. It's the same with a ten frame box, there's extra space on the outsides. It's just a little larger on an eight frame box.

> I guess that "tight in the center" would leave half of the "significant space" that jamiev originally asked about, on each side of the super.

Yes.

> So maybe you'd end up with about the same thing as evenly spacing the frames. Ya think?

With drawn comb, I put seven or even six evenly space for a super. With foundation I crowd them to the center so they will build on the foundation and not try to build a comb between. In the brood nest, I shave a little off and put 9 in or push them to the center.

[sqkcrk]

I guess I missed where jamiez mentioned foundation.

[Dave W]

If your frames are "tight in the center" and your afraid of burr in the extra space, a "follower board" could be inserted.

[jamiev]

I am using wire embedded small cell wax foundation. The significant space i refer to is 1 1/4" of leftover space total. All frames tight in the center would mean 5/8" on each side. My package arrives in late April. I am almost ready. Just some painting left to do.