Frame construction

In beekeeping supply stores, frames are available pre-assembled with or without wax, as well as frames to be assembled. For a pre-assembled frame with wax, a minimum cost of CHF 10 should be expected.

The least expensive option is certainly to make the frames yourself, but using pre-assembled frames is also an interesting alternative. In that case, it is sufficient to insert the wires. There are two types of wire: stainless steel wire, which does not rust but is more difficult to tension, and ordinary steel wire, which will rust during formic acid treatments but has the advantage of being easy to tension.

To facilitate threading the wire, you can build a board with rollers (see the plan). In specialised shops, wire tensioners are also available; these are fitted to the frame after the wire has been threaded, as the wires must be well tensioned without deforming the frame.

Foundation sheets are fitted at the very last moment, just before being introduced into the hives, as they may otherwise become fragile and break. There are two types of wax foundation: rolled foundation (passed between two rollers) and foundation cast in moulds. The former is more brittle at room temperature but, according to some beekeepers, is better accepted by the bees.

It is important that the wax is not cold when it is fixed in place (due to expansion when it is later introduced into the hive at around 37 °C, near the brood). It should be kept, on the night before fitting, at a temperature of 20 °C to 25 °C. The foundation should be placed on the wires so that it touches the top bar. In brood frames, bees always leave an empty space at the bottom. In honey super frames, however, bees rarely leave a gap. It is therefore preferable to place the foundation against the bottom bar; the bees will fill the space at the top, making the frame more rigid and more resistant during extraction.

The simplest solution is to have or borrow an electric device (similar to a small battery) that heats the wire so that it sinks into the wax foundation. Once the foundation is fixed, store the frames upside down, resting on the top bar, in order to prevent the wax from deforming.

► see video: How to fit a wax foundation sheet into a beehive frame