[mark williams]

I've made up several frames without foundation,Although for years I just used a small strip,(1-2 ") for a starter,& cross wired,
I was reading about using fishing line instead of wire a lot easier,
Any way I'm having trouble with the bees eating out the line.Making a mess.
I was told just to use the el'cheap ol line,So I used 14 lb test line.
Have any of you had that problem?
With the cost of some of the fishin line,Just as well use wire.Mark,,,,,

 

[sharpdog]

I had the same results on about 50 out of 200 frames. I won't be trying that anymore.

 

[laketrout]

I also had them cutting the fishing line and then trying to haul it out with one end still attached inside the hive , never again , all wire from now on .

 

[Mike Gillmore]

That's interesting.

I use 20# test line on all my foundationless frames and fortunately I've never had the bees chew through it. I'll never go back to wire. I love being able to cut out nice queen cells without hitting wire, or easily cutting out wonky or damaged sections of comb.

Maybe your bees need more "fiber" in their diet.

Just kidding, whatever works best for "you" is the way to go. Either material does the same job.

 

[laketrout]

Mike maybe your 20 LB test did the job , I was using 10 or 12 LB , it was a mess !!!

 

[mark williams]

Me too,As I said I was using 14lb test.

 

[tommyt]

I used 12 and 14 lb
Outcome

Chewing 40%

Good comb drawn correctly using the line as I intended 30% or less

Comb drawn bypassed the line which became problematic 30% or better

 

[mark williams]

Using the wire I had 100%,Never did have a problem with it.So guess I'll go back to it.Mark,,,,,

 

[NewJoe]

I tried both monofilament and braided fishing line last year......not a pleasant experience.....this year I used bamboo skewers, and it sure makes a beautiful frame of comb...I will never use fishing line again!