Drone comb frames for trapping SHB in medium bodies?

[shinbone]

Hi All,

I see that the green plastic drone comb frames for trapping Varroa mites are readily available for deep bodies - is there a source for plastic drone comb frames sized for medium bodies? Or, do people buy the deep frames and simply cut an appropriate amount off the bottom of the frame to fit in a medium body?

Thanks.

--shinbone

[Grant]

I think you mean varroa mites. These green frames were not designed to trap SHB...unless I"m missing something.

I've cut some plastic, one-piece foundation/frames on a table saw. Use the finest toothed blade you can find. It still comes out looking like some blind beaver went to work on it.

I find it easier to buy wooden medium frames and buy some wax drone foundation (usually comes without wires).

Grant
Jackson, MO

[Rusty67]

Assuming you mean varroa, if you just put an empty frame (or a frame with a wax strip along the top) in between your other frames, the bees will draw it out as drone comb nearly all the time. Or you can do as Randy Oliver does, and put foundation in the top and nothing in the bottom. The bottom will be drawn into drone comb. Pictures and a link to Randy's stuff below:

http://www.honeybeesuite.com/reduce-...ey-bee-drones/

[Riff Raff]

Assuming you mean varroa, if you just put an empty frame (or a frame with a wax strip along the top) in between your other frames, the bees will draw it out as drone comb nearly all the time. Or you can do as Randy Oliver does, and put foundation in the top and nothing in the bottom. The bottom will be drawn into drone comb. Pictures and a link to Randy's stuff below:

http://www.honeybeesuite.com/reduce-...ey-bee-drones/

Rusty, thanks for that link!

[shinbone]

Grant - you are correct, I meant "varroa mites" rather than "SHB". I have edited the text of my post, but I apparently can't edit the subject line.

-- shinbone

[Ben Brewcat]

I also use foundationless for drone trapping. But if you really dig on the drone foundation, rip one down with a table saw.

[MrHappy]

Quite a few in my area use the half foundation and half open. Every two weeks you pop the frame in the freezer for a few hours and then put it back in. It will have killed the drones and the mites and the honey on top will be fine. The bees will clean out the drones and put more in there. I know a few that feed the drones to the chickens.