[beekeeper1756]

My brother called me today with a problem with one of his new packages. They are building a double layer of comb. Now he has taken out this weird double comb every time he opens the hive, trying to get them to draw out the foundation correctly. However, they continue to build this weird comb.

Any ideas?

 

[Monie]

Make sure the hive is level and the foundation isn't bulging. Are all the frames in place?

 

[fish_stix]

Make sure he has all the frames in the box. Take out the bad comb and leave it out; replace with another frame.

 

[Michael Palmer]

Plastic frame/foundation?

 

[beekeeper1756]

Hives "appear" to be level. All frames in place with wax foundation. I don't understand. Does my brother need to put a level to his hives?

All 10 frames in place

Partially drawn foundation and then a double layer on top of that.

Wax foundation.

 

[Oldbee]

"Does my brother need to put a level to his hives?"

Yes, I would use a level; the larger/longer ones about 12-15 inches or so. It is sometimes a pain, depending on what kind of hive stand is being used to get it level. I don't trust eyeballing it myself, to get it within the 'ballpark' of level. It doesn't have to perfect, but close.

With about 150 deep frames and 80 mediums of wax foundation, over 5 years, I have never had the problem you are describing. Is it relatively new foundation or was it something that was stored away for many years? Is it Duraguilt foundation?

 

[kbenz]

I use a 2ft level. be surprised how far off your eye can be