Beesource Beekeeping Forums banner

Is my frame spacing wrong?

4K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  TheBeeLoudGlade 
#1 ·
I’m preparing for my first season with Langstroths...

I have 8 frame boxes from Mann Lake and foundationless frames from Kelley Beekeeping

When I place 8 frames in there is a lot more space left than I thought there would be - almost 1-3/4 total or 7/8 on each side.

Is that normal or should I reduce the space with a board?
 

Attachments

See less See more
1
#2 ·
The standard description of a brood box is based on frames that are 1.375" wide - ie:8 frame. I suspect that the Kelly foundationless frames might be 1.25" wide. Foundationless frames would appeal to beekeepers that believe in 1.25" frame width so that is why I suspect it.

You have 1.75" left over. If you put 9 frames in the box that would subtract 1.25" and leave you a quarter inch of space on each side.

Measure your frame spacers then put the correct number of frames in that 9 frame box.
 
#3 ·
In the brood chamber I use a follower board to fill the void. In the honey super I space equally after drawn out.




 
#5 ·
Yes

It is.

I have no idea why Kelly would sell frames that space 1.25 instead of the 'normal' 1.375 to 1.4375 (1-3/8 to 1-7/16 in fractional measurement); nor any idea why 'foundationless' frames would be spaced closer.

In fact, this whole 'foundationless' thing is one of those 'What the H*ll' things to me.

Why end up with a bunch of extra drone comb (and you WILL, because it takes less time and wax) than combs of all worker cells ??

Can someone explain the allure of 'foundationless' ?

Thanks
 
#7 ·
Can someone explain the allure of 'foundationless' ?

Thanks
Thanks for your answer SK. In my case I’m going foundationless because I don’t want to use chemicals in my hive, and I don’t want to bring commercial wax with its trace amounts of chemicals into the hives.

Plus, I’ve read that the bees can vary their cell size as they see fit on foundationless - and that has to be a good thing.

I’m not getting into beekeeping for business or commercial reasons: my main focus isn’t in maximizing honey production. I want to have healthy bees and bees that may add to the ecosystem.

Maybe going chem-free isn’t a good idea, it that’s where I am right now
 
#6 ·
TheBeeLoudGlade

Just reread your original post and noted this is your first year.

I believe strongly in the 1.25" wide frame. There are those who will incorrectly tell you that you will end up with all drone comb if you use foundationless. This is incorrect. "For everything there is a season." (Byrds reference <<<GG>>>)

Please consider using a proper foundation on 1.25" wide frames your first year then phase in foundationless the second. My colonies are on Dadant foundation in the brood box and foundationless in the supers. 1.25" frames in the brood box and 1.5" wide in the supers.

Vance and Odfrank are knowledgeable, respected beekeepers on this board. We each have our different philosophies and methods. The question you need to answer is why you wanted to go foundationless in the first place.

PM me if questions
 
#8 ·
8 frame boxes do not have a standard size like the 10 frame boxes do. There always seems like there is extra room on the sides with the Mann Lake eight frame boxes (which is my personal standard box in my apiary) I like the extra room on the sides because it gives be extra room to slide the frames aside when doing an inspection. The only drawback will be the honey frames on the ends will get drawn out beyond the spacer and you will not be able to move them in to the center of the brood area. Those frames will always need to be on the end unless you cut the comb back. It should not be a major issue.

I never reduce the sides but doing so with a thin piece of plywood would reduce the extra honey comb on the ends.
 
#9 ·
I like the extra room on the sides because it gives be extra room to slide the frames aside when doing an inspection.
I prefer a little extra room on the sides as well, makes removing the first couple of frames so much easier. You will probably find that over time the edges of your frame end bars will begin to pick up propolis and wax and the frames will naturally spread out over time, if you don't make a practice of scraping it off. As the frames start to space themselves out a little the open area on the sides will be reduced.

You might be dealing with a frame of fat comb for a while but eventually it will straighten itself out.
 
#11 ·
OK

I've waded thru all that.

My impression is that it all seems to be based on this:

"Standard foundation has been upsized

That upsizing has caused a bee that is 150% of it’s natural size

The fact that upsizing foundation makes a bigger bee and that we now have upsized is well documented by Baudoux, Pinchot, Gontarski, and most recently, McMullan and Brown. "

Which all the above authors seem to condemn.

So my question becomes: "Why is 'upsizing' considered such a bad thing ?????"
 
#12 ·
Less male mites are able to mate:
Reproduction of Varroa destructor in South African honey bees: does cell space influence Varroa male survivorship, Stephen J. MARTIN, Per KRYGER : http://www.apidologie.org/index.php...29&url=/articles/apido/pdf/2002/01/Martin.pdf

Less mite offspring:
The influence of brood comb cell size on the reproductive behavior of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in Africanized honey bee colonies Giancarlo A. Piccirillo1 and D. De Jong : http://funpecrp.com.br/gmr/year2003/vol1-2/gmr0057_full_text.htm

Smaller cell size significantly contributes to reduced reproductive success of Varroa: Cell size and Varroa destructor mite infestations in susceptible and naturally-surviving honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies : https://link.springer.com/article/1...9aWvRQWlImQcfRifvq1XzsHHytlZspO5f_z5B1l8IrKLg

Survival of a Commercial Beekeeper in Norway, Hans Otto Johnsen : http://www.beesource.com/point-of-v...survival-of-a-commercial-beekeeper-in-norway/

Trial of HoneySuperCell® Small Cell Combs, Randy Oliver : http://scientificbeekeeping.com/trial-of-honeysupercell-small-cell-combs/

Effects of Comb Cell Diameter on Parasitic Mite Infestations in Honey Bee Colonies, Eric Erickson Jr. : https://beesource.com/point-of-view...itic-mite-infestations-in-honey-bee-colonies/

The workers live longer:
On small cell bee longevity: Life span of worker honeybees reared in colonies kept on small-cell combs, Krzysztof Olszewski, Grzegorz Borsuk, Jerzy Paleolog, Aneta Strache : http://medycynawet.edu.pl/images/stories/pdf/pdf2014/122014/201412777780.pdf

The pupation cycle is one to two days shorter by my measurement and that of Huber and Dzierzon:
On Shortened Pupation: A model of the mite parasite, Varroa destructor, on honeybees (Apis mellifera) to investigate parameters important to mite population growth, D Wilkinson, G.C Smith : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380001004409
 
#21 ·
Less male mites are able to mate:
Reproduction of Varroa destructor in South African honey bees: does cell space influence Varroa male survivorship, Stephen J. MARTIN, Per KRYGER : http://www.apidologie.org/index.php...29&url=/articles/apido/pdf/2002/01/Martin.pdf

Less mite offspring:
The influence of brood comb cell size on the reproductive behavior of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor in Africanized honey bee colonies Giancarlo A. Piccirillo1 and D. De Jong : http://funpecrp.com.br/gmr/year2003/vol1-2/gmr0057_full_text.htm

Smaller cell size significantly contributes to reduced reproductive success of Varroa: Cell size and Varroa destructor mite infestations in susceptible and naturally-surviving honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies : https://link.springer.com/article/1...9aWvRQWlImQcfRifvq1XzsHHytlZspO5f_z5B1l8IrKLg

Survival of a Commercial Beekeeper in Norway, Hans Otto Johnsen : https://www.beesource.com/point-of-...survival-of-a-commercial-beekeeper-in-norway/

Trial of HoneySuperCell® Small Cell Combs, Randy Oliver : http://scientificbeekeeping.com/trial-of-honeysupercell-small-cell-combs/

Effects of Comb Cell Diameter on Parasitic Mite Infestations in Honey Bee Colonies, Eric Erickson Jr. : https://beesource.com/point-of-view...itic-mite-infestations-in-honey-bee-colonies/

The workers live longer:
On small cell bee longevity: Life span of worker honeybees reared in colonies kept on small-cell combs, Krzysztof Olszewski, Grzegorz Borsuk, Jerzy Paleolog, Aneta Strache : http://medycynawet.edu.pl/images/stories/pdf/pdf2014/122014/201412777780.pdf

The pupation cycle is one to two days shorter by my measurement and that of Huber and Dzierzon:
On Shortened Pupation: A model of the mite parasite, Varroa destructor, on honeybees (Apis mellifera) to investigate parameters important to mite population growth, D Wilkinson, G.C Smith : http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380001004409
OK

You have your reasons

I'll stick with what I know works for me
 
#13 ·
Can someone explain the allure of 'foundationless' ?

Not trying to start a tinkling contest but Michael points out the advantages shown through research. Other folks have philosophical reasons whether perceived as valid or not. Too much overthinking it, some of us plain and simply started foundationless and never saw a reason to change. The potential for wonky comb maybe one less thing a new beekeeper has to worry about but they won't turn into a pumpkin if they use it either. About as much of a personal choice as solid/screened bottom board or types of treatments. As with all the other things tried and not fitting well, always time to "not doing that again."
 
#14 ·
I run 10 frame boxes, but accidently picked up a bunch of 8 frame boxes that I now use for splits. The 8 frames are a bit wider than standard, 8 frames fit in there too loose but there isn't enough room to squeeze in a 9th. I just push them together tight and center in the box.
 
#15 ·
nice frames of worker brood can certainly be had foundationless. so can drone brood and cross comb. the beek needs to understand timing and colony desires.
are those deep frames? they will be much more fragile than mediums.
as a new beek, are you prepared and willing to cut and rearrange cross-comb? often times the comb tends to curve off center as they expand outward.
i would run a ninth frames in that box...
 
#16 ·
When I place 8 frames in there is a lot more space left than I thought there would be - almost 1-3/4 total or 7/8 on each side.
The Langstroth is designed to have a bit of extra space on each side. Without that space, the bees are reluctant to use the outside face of the outside frames. So, pack those frames tight together and enjoy that extra space on the outside.

BTW, since you're using foundationless frames, you'll find you'll have much better success getting straight combs if you alternate each new foundationless frame between fully-drawn frames. Otherwise, your bees might be "creative" -- even with those nifty Kelley frames. (Bees are a lot like bison -- you can lead them anywhere they want to go.) Let us know how those Kelley frames work out for you. Using the method described above, they've worked well for me.
 
#17 ·
I use foundationless frames in all hives. I found that Langstroth frames, with or without foundation don't leave the .25 inch bee space between comb. My bees build comb out to 1.5 inches thick and if the frame tabs are touching the bees usually end up attaching one comb to the next. Use a spacer as others have suggested or I eyeball .25 inch space between the frame tabs.
 
#18 ·
8 frame hives have a little bit more room in them than 10 frame hives.

Ten frame hives are 16-1/4 wide, or 14-3/4 inside. Ten frames are 13-3/4, leaving you with 1" extra space inside.

Eight frame hives are 13-3/4 inches wide, or 12-1/4 inside. Eight frames are 11" leaving you with 1-1/4" extra space inside.

A Mann-Lake 8 frame hive has even more space. Mann-Lake 8 frame hives are 14 inches wide, or 12-1/2 inside. The Mann-Lake 8 frame hive has 1-1/2" of extra space, which is enough room for another frame if you want but then removing the first frame will be tight.

In my 13-3/4" 8 frame hives I push all the frames tight together and push them all to one side. The extra 1/4" space hasn't been a problem. Its nice to have the extra room to slide a frame into before lifting it from the box. Bees hang out in that space and bees also use it as a highway to the supers. They do build a small amount of ladder comb on the walls to help them climb up. I usually leave it there until it gets thick, its easy to scrape it off when necessary. I don't have any experience with the 14" 8 frames so I don't know if they'll build more, but you could just center the frames and leave them with a 3/4" highway to the supers on both sides. I actually wish I had started my 8 frames at 14" so it would fit the Mann-Lake queen excluders better, but since excluders are on for only the flow no way am I remaking everything.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top