[rick42_98]

I recently obtained a 4 frame nuc. The 4 frames were placed in the center of a new hive body (deep) with 3 new frames of wax foundation on either side. Eight days later I inspected the hive. The 4 center frames (from the nuc) have comb extending past the edge of the frames into the neighboring frames. It's like one solid mass of comb through all the nuc frames. I removed frame 10 (untouched by the bees) and spaced the remaining 9 out with the result that I broke comb which spanned the nuc frames. Whats is going on here and did I do the right thing? It looks like a mess in those 4 frames. Please help a noob. :?
Newbe beekeeper

 

[Iddee]

Wrong direction....Push all the frames closer together and put the tenth one back. The problem began when the frames were spread too far apart. Gently press them closer together, giving the bees time to get out of the way. Once they are tightly together, the bees will remove enough wax to give them the proper amount of bee space. The end result should be ten frames pressed tightly together and centered in the box. All excess space should be equally shared on the outer edge of the box.

NEVER use 9 frames when using foundation. Only when using drawn comb, then only in the honey supers. Brood chambers should always have 10.

 

[rick42_98]

Thanks Idee but the problem occurred when there were 10 frames in the hive body. When the four nuc frames were inserted there was enough room between them (all frames equally spaced). I understand the rule about 9 frames only when the comb is drawn but why did this happen? I can see a solid mass of comb between the 4 nuc frames and I don't think the bees can move between them. That is why I spaced them (one frame removed) and broke the comb. I do like your idea that the bees will remove comb though so I might try to squeeze them back and insert the 10th frame back in. Do you think I should remove the 4 nuc frames for inspection and replace them? Thanks for your patient and knowlegable help here.

 

[Iddee]

>>>>When the four nuc frames were inserted there was enough room between them (all frames equally spaced).<<<<

Equally spaced is what caused the problem. Tightly pressed together and centered is the rule.

>>>>I don't think the bees can move between them. <<<<

The bees will cure that problem. They will place "and remove" wax to suit themselves, leaving the proper bee space in between. Beekeepers who defy that bee space will always have wax in the wrong place. The bees just will not tolerate it.

 

[rick42_98]

AHA......I see. Thanks for your reply....I will insert the 10th frame and gently squeeze toward the center on both sides. No bee-space violations in my hive!! Thank you for your help.

 

[Iddee]

I checked out your blog. Welcome to beekeeping, and welcome to the forum. I hope you will stay around and maybe we can help each other.

 

[rick42_98]

Iddee....you can count on it.