Wax foundation falling, how to fix?

[Sully1882]

Opened the hives today and the shallow supers I placed on last weekend are full of bees working but all the foundation has fallen over. I am wanting to get cut comb from these shallows so I thought that's why I should just use was foundation only with no wire support. How do you guys remedy this? I went ahead and just scrapped it all out bc the bees had already begun pulling comb out in all directions of the fallen foundation. Any helped would be greatly appreciated.

Sully

[Sully1882]

Do i glue the foundation in the top groove or somehow wedge the wax foundation into the top groove?

Sully

[psfred]

Traditionally I think foundation is set in wax when used in grooved frames. There are tools for this, and it requires a fairly large container of melted beeswax.

I would use wedge type frames for cut comb, it's more likely the foundation will stay up until the bees get some drawn.

Peter

[Grant]

I don't have the copper tube with melted beeswax, which is probably what I should do. On the frames where this is a problem, or if I'm just adding a strip of foundation for the bees to draw out, I'll take a beeswax candle, light it and drip wax on to the point where the wood meets the foundation.

Doesn't take a lot of drips to "tack" the strip in place.

Grant
Jackson, MO

[standman]

If you have holes on your end bars (usually used for wiring), put some bobby pins in to hold the foundation in place. One on each end should give you a lot more support. You can pull them out when the bees get the foundation tacked in place, or just pull them when you get ready to cut the comb.

[Sully1882]

Standman, awesome idea thank you very much!

[Solomon Parker]

Melted wax works, or use the wedge to pinch it in there. You could also just use a strip of foundation and let them build in the rest. As long as the hive is level side to side, it should work out.

[Michael Bush]

If people would stop recommending foundation to these poor newbees... this would never happen with foundationless...

[BMAC]

let us know how the bobby pin works out please.

[deknow]

If the foundation is.falling over, it isn't for lack of bobbypins in the wire holes....its that it isn't attached at the top of the frame.
deknow

[odfrank]

If people would stop recommending foundation to these poor newbees... this would never happen with foundationless...

I was a NewBee 40+ years ago and never had foundation fall out. They should know more about their endeavor before undertaking it. Too many NewBees who take up beekeeping like they are buying a kitten or puppy. A leash, a bowl, some kibble, a blanket and off they go.

[rweakley]

You know Mike was being tongue in cheek, because some many people say that new people can't handle going foundationless. I don't want to speak for Mike, but the point is new people make mistakes no matter what philosophy of beekeeping they are following. Those who don't like foundationless should just stick to teaching people who use foundation on the proper way of going that way, and those that like foundationless will stick to helping people who want to go that route.
Rod

[DPLONG]

If people would stop recommending foundation to these poor newbees... this would never happen with foundationless...

I agree. Just bought six hundred foundationless frames from Kelley's. That would fix your problem.