Wiring foundationless frames in a swarm box?

juzzerbee said:

If I am going to put 9 deep foundationless frames in the trap with a frame of drawn, is there anything I need to do to foundationless frames prior to putting them in the box? I am not sure if support wires need to be run through them for strength and drawing of the comb later. Thanks, juzzer

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I wouldn't spend the time adding wire. Just make sure they hive is level from side to side. If it isn't and you are late getting to the trap, you will be in for a nice surprise (wax drawn from the top of a frame connected to the bottom of an adjacent one, etc...). Good luck!

bamindy is 100% correct:thumbsup:I don't wire or use bottom bars have very few problems.As bamindy stated don't be late.It's easier to correct badly drawn comb right from the get go.It's also easier to move without worries of having comb failure(comb is more fragile at first but if it's not to large and full of pollen nectar and brood,it's easier to move) .When you move them to a new loction again bamindy is on cue level side to side!Leveling is very important to thoughs going foundationless makes it a positive experience rather than negative or even turning it into a cut-out unless you want that experience.Foundationless is not at all the nightmare most think!Let us know how your experience with it goes.:applause:

>I am not sure if support wires need to be run through them for strength and drawing of the comb later.

I do not wire them.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#dowire

Great. I just assembled 54 frames last night and considered not attaching bottom bars but I thought....dah nobody does something like that! Now I know for next time. What is the reasoning that people don't use the bottom bars? Just in swarm traps or hives too? I had to modify my bars to fit which made them a bit difficult to assemble, that's why I wasn't going to attach them.....laziness I guess.
As for levelness of the swarm box, I actually went around to all the locations that I will be installing the traps at, to do a "dry run" of putting them up. Just to get an idea of how difficult it will be even without frames in at that time.
What do most people do with the trap frames when a swarm is caught? Place them all into the hive and use them in the hive or install the bees on other frames? Thanks, juzzer

>What do most people do with the trap frames when a swarm is caught? Place them all into the hive and use them in the hive

Yes.

> or install the bees on other frames

No.

You can use bottom bars.Myself I prefer not to use them.The queen can move easily with little reluctance to move up or down to another frame to search for empty cells to lay in.She doesn't care to much for walking on wood or anything that's not comb.Even though she'll walk on wood she doesn't care to much for it.All queens like the red carpet treatment and I feel that's what I'm doing for her.Ever notice the burr comb between the upper and bottom box?That is one of the reasons it's there.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Good point slow drone. juzzer