Foundationless frames for the foundationless of knowledge?

2481 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Alpha11, Apr 14, 2014

Alpha11

Discussion Starter · Mar 18, 2014

I love to read instructions. I'm a protocol driven person. That's the way my brain is set up but I realize that occasionally that sometimes one has to deviate from the manual and make an executive decision. Maybe I didn't make it to the end of the internet to fully give all the answers to all my questions leads me to write this.

My packages are due to arrive by the second week of April and I have a few questions concerning FL frames.

1. Should I dump them in a hive body with all FL frames? Of course I know to remove a few frames to install the package.
2. Should I checker board the FL frames with Fframes?
3. Out of 1 & 2, which one has the greatest chance of bees leaving the hive?
4. leave the queen caged or not?
5. Hang the queen or not?

Any step instructions would be quite helpful.
Thanks in advance for all the answers you provide
A11(newbee)

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Deepsouth

· #2 · Mar 18, 2014

I shake swarms into boxes with all foundation less frames and it works great. Just make sure you have a comb guide. I use wedge top bars and turn the wedge sideways.
Every once in a while they tend to curve the comb a little on the edge of the frames. Just keep an eye on them and when you start seeing them trying to curve the combs onto the next frame just pull it back strait on the frame.
Never mix foundation less frames with foundation. The bees will start drawing the foundation first before the foundation less frames and make the foundation real fat.
I would leave the queen in the cage and let the bees release her. Just dont leave it in too long because they will make some crazy comb around the cage.

Save

rweakley

· #3 · Mar 18, 2014

Follow the rules.

here is my video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38SPvuWvVkc&list=UUUJpugtC8DATt5CampP4RtA

The only difference is you need to keep a closer eye on a brand new package with no comb. As Michael Bush says "one good comb leads to another, leads to another... one bad comb leads to another, leads to another..."

Save

Alpha11

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 4, 2014

Just installed my two packages and everything went smoothly. Both hives are level side to side. I just cant keep from going outside and watching them. Thanks so much for you input. It is greatly appreciated.
A11

Save

RubyLaneFarm

· #5 · Apr 5, 2014

Alpha11 said:
Just installed my two packages and everything went smoothly. Both hives are level side to side. I just cant keep from going outside and watching them. Thanks so much for you input. It is greatly appreciated.
A11

Awesome! Did you hang the Queen in the cage or let her go after you dumped the package in the hive? My packages are coming in two weeks.. This will be our first go at it and we are using a foundationless frames.

Stay Safe!

Save

Alpha11

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 13, 2014

Ok. Thought I'd posted a reply but hadn't. Here's my observations so far. I hung the cage and left it for 3 full days. Feeding 2:1 with bee healthy supplement. Within three days they had built a hand size comb. They were going crazy with comb and that forced me to have to remove comb they had doubled up on one frame. That was noted on day six. Now I hated to remove comb and was determined to get it back in the hive seeing this comb had sugar and eggs. I quickly went in a search and found a poster on YouTube that used women's hair clips. Good idea but I noticed the white wax was real soft and the clip just cut right through the comb. One clip out of 4 is still in the hive and working like it's supposed to. If there is any better way to handle that problem, I'd like to know. Another thing I have learned is that you don't stop checking the level of the hive. My stand settled and that was a cause of the crazy comb. As for today's inspection all is well and they are bringing in pollen by the pound, eating 2:1, and building comb, and laying eggs. Life is good with bees in the back yard. If I think of anything else I'll post it.

See less See more

Save

NewJoe

· #7 · Apr 14, 2014

tie it in with rubber bands and fishing line

Save

Alpha11

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 14, 2014

Tried the fishing line. The weight of the wax just pulled it right off the line. Didn't have any rubber bands at the time. Think next time I'm gonna try the bands.

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

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 Contributors this Month