The Honey Factory

[R2elk]

An entrance feeder will not fit.

I have one hive that will not accept a standard entrance feeder. I hand trimmed a standard entrance feeder to make it fit. It's not pretty but it works.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

I started 9 frame spacing this year to make uncapping easier.

Also I would like to cut down on scratching the low cells missed by the knife.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

Crazy how many are trying it too, but I'll add myself to the list of keepers using 9 frames in a 10 frame box. I now have 3 hives, a nuc, and our long hive going good so far.

 

[Sally PB]

What about 9 frames in an 8 frame box? They fit.

 

[R2elk]

What about 9 frames in an 8 frame box? They fit.

Not quite.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Not quite.

Gotta have room to work comfortably, the ol' 5 lb in a 2lb.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Wanted to do a chk today but cool and rain, same tomorrow, the crew will not be happy.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

Wanted to do a chk today but cool and rain, same tomorrow, the crew will not be happy.

If they were miserable yesterday they're absolutely nasty today, not even exiting the box except for a couple at a time for a cleansing flight I suspect. Wetter and cooler today. Can't get in for a chk till Thursday.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

The problem with the 8 frame hives is that the super is a little too wide for 8 frames with undrawn comb. Looks like they were designed to hold 8 frames with already drawn comb.

You cannot get away with 9 frames with undrawn comb in a 10 frame hive. Anytime you violate the "bee space" whether too narrow or too wide, you will have problems.

Some people will take the frames from a 9 frame in a 10 frame super and then space them to fit 8 in a 10 frame super.

9 frames in a 10 frame super works really well for me so I don't try to work it down to 8.

Yep. I put in undrawn comb an they made a cross comb mess. I just checked today and put back in 10 frames.

 

[R2elk]

Yep. I put in undrawn comb an they made a cross comb mess. I just checked today and put back in 10 frames.

The frames have to be already full drawn before you can reduce from 10 to 9. Bee space will always win.

"Bee space refers to the specific gap (between 1/4" and 3/8" or 6-9mm) that honeybees naturally leave between combs, frames, and other hive components.

This precise spacing allows bees to move freely within the hive without obstruction, yet is small enough to prevent them from filling it with either propolis (a sticky resin) or excess comb.
Why is bee space important?
Free Movement:
Bees need space to travel between combs, access honey stores, and care for brood.
Comb Building:
If the space is too large, bees will build extra comb, making hive inspections and honey harvesting difficult.
Propolis Prevention:
If the space is too small, bees will seal it with propolis, again hindering hive management.
Langstroth Hive Design:
The concept of bee space is fundamental to the design of the Langstroth hive, which allows for easy removal and inspection of frames.
In essence, bee space is the Goldilocks zone for bees – just the right amount of space to keep them happy and productive without making it difficult for beekeepers to manage the hive."