How many sides does a honeycomb have?
Summary
Our forum users have varying perspectives on the shape of honeycomb cells. Some users focus on the practical aspects, such as how the hexagonal shape contributes to the comb's strength and efficient use of space. Others are fascinated by the natural processes that lead to this shape, and some even study it for mathematical modeling. It's a topic that highlights the wonders of nature and beekeeping.
According to our forum users, honeycomb is generally considered to have a hexagonal shape, although there can be some debate and variation:
- One user mentions, "That is how the intersection of 3 walls on one side becomes the centerpoint of a cell on the opposite side of the comb. Also the fact that a honeycomb, though hexagonal (some debate this point) on the top, tapers to a rounded base. A wonder of nature certainly." -- jim lyon, Beesource.com
- Another user shares that a possible explanation is "that the hexagon tiles the plane with minimal surface area. Thus, a hexagonal structure uses the least material to create a lattice of cells within a given volume" -- jwbee, Beesource.com
- Another user says, "Anyone who has opened up a feral colony has seen the rolls and waves of natural comb and it is a thing of beauty.However,it does make for messy beekeeping." -- Jack Grimshaw, Beesource.com
Post Mentions
- He doesn't address the 3 dimensional aspect of honeycomb that I have always found intriguing and is a primary key to its strength. That is how the intersection of 3 walls on one side becomes the centerpoint of a cell on the opposite side of the comb. Also the fact that a honeycomb, though...
- There are two possible explanations for the reason that honeycomb is composed of hexagons, rather than any other shape. One, given by Jan Brożek and proved much later by Thomas Hales, is that the hexagon tiles the plane with minimal surface area. Thus, a hexagonal structure uses the least...
- Thanks for weighing in. I realize I haven't explained the situation clearly, though. Actually, I pulled this frame out of the super that is above the queen excluder and the brood frames. Shouldn't it just be honeycomb? There are some other frames in the super that are white and are being...
- Like many beekeeping questions,it depends. I do not obsess about every comb.I think the cut off is about 10 hives, more than that you just deal with it. I do wish every comb was perfectly straight but bees(and life) is not like that. I do check every seam before pulling the first frame and note...
- I put frame spacers in my hives and this has really worked for me in terms of reducing the problems like your speaking of. I still get thicker honey comb but they don't interfere between frames. I will from time to time still have some places where they connect the comb. I just cut it back.
- I am new to beekeeping. I pulled out a honey frame, it was perfectly capped, when I was decapping, I noticed this funny stuff on the honeycomb (photo attached). Could anyone please tell me what it is? Thank you in advance
- I don't think it will have any effect on the final product. You could pull a piece of comb out of the freezer, let it thaw and then you will know for sure. I have a deep freezer, big enough to put a whole super wrapped in a hefty garbage bag sealed with a twist tie in it. never a problem.
- I tend to "shuffle" my combs like a deck of cards for different purposes. The darker comb is obviously older, but only by a few months. The bees did not drawn them out in this order or arrangement. I will let the bees draw two straight combs and then I insert an empty bar to let them draw the...
- Hi I am a graduate student researching a mathematical model for honey comb construction. I am wondering if any of you TBH bee keepers have access to ellipsoidal hives similar to the one in this image. If so it would be really helpful if I could get some images and measurements from your hives...
- Would that be one beat per side or one second per side? All the frames in my mediums are full of drawn comb honey, nectar and pollen. I'm sure that will be quite attractive to them! Hopefully the queen will go up there and then I'll put the excluder in.
Related Threads
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- Hi all, I started harvesting honeycomb. I know that it's much more labor intensive, but I live in a place where there are lots of beekeepers and adding a piece of comb to my jar of honey was the only way I could differentiate my honey from the rest and get it in some stores. Anyway, I cut the...
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- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7edkFs8Vu1E Quick 5 minute explanation of why that is optimal. Just in case of any interest!
- I am new to beekeeping. I pulled out a honey frame, it was perfectly capped, when I was decapping, I noticed this funny stuff on the honeycomb (photo attached). Could anyone please tell me what it is? Thank you in advance
- Hi I am a graduate student researching a mathematical model for honey comb construction. I am wondering if any of you TBH bee keepers have access to ellipsoidal hives similar to the one in this image. If so it would be really helpful if I could get some images and measurements from your hives...
- I have two hives in my yard in San Francisco. We had a couple of very warm weeks followed by lots of rain, then a day or two of sun, then more rain. I wonder if the bees just can't take it. I checked on them yesterday and can't figure out why the comb in the super is brown, not uniform (wavy...
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