Hi, I currently have KTBHs, but I'm considering getting some Warres next year. My concern is that from everything I've read, the bars in a Warre are supposed to be nailed into place, which means they are not movable and probably not legal in my state. However, I've also seen videos of people inspecting Warres and they were taking the bars out. In these hives, how does one maintain proper spacing between the bars? Sorry if this is an idiotic question, but I'm trying to figure out how the bars work.
Thanks!
There are a number of questions you have brought up.
1. Top bars nailed into place = not movable = not legal.
I don't know which state you're in, or the specific regulations for your situation.
But in these fronts, here are some options
A. Nailed into place and Not Movable
a) even top bars that are nailed into place can still be pried up for inspection
b) some nail the top bars in place, but clip the head off the nail (to make it easier to pry up for inspection).
c) some drill holes in the top bar and the nail serves not to attach, but to position the top bar correctly.
d) some do not nail the top bar, but use a castellagated (notched) portion of the box to position the bars instead of nails.
e) some put notches in the end of the top bars and use nails for positioning.
f) some don't nail or notch or anything (the method I prefer)
B. Not Legal
a) work with your bee inspector if you must. They aren't generally against beekeepers who properly care for bees. They may need to be educated, but hopefully they are non hostile.
b) know your specific bylaws. Full Frame is different than Frame is different than "Movable" is different than "Inspectable". You are not harming the bees or preventing proper care by using a Warré.
c) know how to get the information that your inspector will want. Know the methods they can use to inspect that will satisfy them. (know when a snippet of comb is enough, know when collecting 20 bees to be sent to a lab is enough, etc) I'm growing in this area, and need to grow much more.
As long as inspectors have legal control over you (unfortunate, but true-ish), then it behooves us to allow them to do their job. They are usually feeling pressure from those above them to do a thorough job and they just want to have confidence leaving your apiary that they've checked everything that needs to be checked.
As for proper spacing, you can simply eyeball it, or use a guide or nails or notches or what-not.
As you know, the bees sometimes do not prefer your spacing or prefer to build in such a way that makes your "comb-removal" type inspection very easy. That's ok.