:-\ I am thinking about trying pierco 1 piece plastic frames for my next hive I have never used them & don't know much about them. Have any one ever used them an will the bees draw them out?
I have several med supers with the all plastic frames seems to be OK.
I am using them in my two hives - It's only been about a week but the bees are drawing well on them. I took advice from some people here and added extra wax to them. The frames don't come with enough on them. Buy some extra beeswax and melt it down and then paint it onto the frames to give them an extra layer of wax. Then a day or so before the bees are installed, spray the frames liberally with sugar syrup.
This is the method I used anyway, and the frames have been accepted well by the bees. A week since mine were installed and 5 frames in each hive had been drawn by day 6. I don't know how that compares to most hives. There was no burr comb in the hives - the hives were immaculate - the frames were amazingly neat. However I couldn't see any eggs as yet and a couple of Queen cups and it has been suggested that this could be because of using plastic frames and it could be that the bees are taking their time getting used to the plastic frames which may be making them slower in getting used to things.
Hope that helps a little. Pictures are on my blog below if that helps. Also I am a total beginner this year so that may explain any mistakes ;)
Thanks for the info, this helps me make up my mind I am going to try them on my next hive, this will be my second hive I am just beginning this new hobby :)
When using plastic frames air them out as much as possible prior to use, coat them with extra wax, spray them with syrup upon placing them in the hive, and if using plastic make sure every frame is plastic or you'll have problems. One wood frame in a plastic frame super means 9 frames get ignored.
Hi
I use pierco plastic frames with no extra wax with no problems. However, I sprayed them with honey syrup before install. I just check and the bees are drawing them perfectly!
-Rodni