Bees made a mess...

[chrissv]

I have a 1st year hive (from a package in April). They seem to have not drawn out the foundation in an even fashion - right now, on almost all of the frames in the upper chamber which have honey in them, the bees have drawn out the comb so that it extends past the edge of the frame. If I lift up the frame, the comb is scraped open and the bees go a little nuts.

Here's an example of what I am talking about (click to enlarge):

This situation is on a lot of the frames.

I know I can find a frame where I can remove it safely, then scoot the others around. But I was wondering what I can do about this (and when). I don't think I want to mess around too much now as winter is approaching. I was thinking of waiting for spring, when the bees have (hopefully) eaten the honey in the frames; then I can do something.

But I am not sure what I can do in the spring. My options seem to be 1) replace with a new frame (of undrawn foundation), or 2) try to cut / push down the protruding comb and let the bees clean up the edges.

Am I right that bees use the adjacent frame to judge the proper spacing? If I put in a new undrawn frame, what's to keep the bees from doing the same thing, just adding on to the adjacent drawn frame, thus creating the same problem?

At the various outdoor meetings of our bee club over the summer I didn't see this problem in others' hives. Is it also related to the fact I started on wax coated plastic foundation?

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

-- Steven

[alpha6]

This is why many of us run 9 frames in a ten frame box. This gives you room to put a space between the frame you wish to pull and not roll and crush your bees.

Suggestion...remove the frame that has no stores or is the least drawn out and work with nine.

[Dave W]

When drawing foundation, all your frames MUST be pushed together. If they are somehow moved apart a bit, the bees will continue to draw them out past the frame. This is what some do by using only 9 frames in a 10 frame box. They spread the frames apart to get "thicker" frames (said to hold more honey and easier to uncap).

You may find the outside frames (ones next to wall) have less "projection". Remove one of these first, then spread the remaining frames before removing (gives you more room).

[Michael Bush]

Running less frames or leaving the spaced more is what causes that in the brood nest. The brood comb is very consistent in depth but the honey is not. If you space them for the brood then they honey doesn't protrude.

But then this is just bees. They will build honey thicker and they will do it where they feel like it. It's one more reason you should put frames back where you get them from.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesframewidth.htm

[SwedeBee1970]

I agree with the latter statements. Give them room, they will divide and conquer.

I know some beeks that use 8 frames in a 10 box and they love it. Bees in the wild will use every ounce of space they get in their hives. Their the ones who must do the maintenance. As long as it's not the honey supers...