I am planning on going with natural comb this spring with ordered colonies. I will use 3/4" strips of foundation for starter strips at the top of deep frames. My question is would it help, hurt, or make no difference if I crossed wired the frames and let the bees incorporate the wire in the wax they make?
If you are not going to use the comb to make cut comb or chunk honey, the I would recommend wiring. It's not necessary though. The wires won't slow them down. They'll draw right over it. I started moving my hives to natural comb this year using the wide craft sticks and wiring the frames. So far so good.
No it will not be used for cut comb honey, I intend to use natural comb for the brood nest.
For deeps, wires will make it easier to handle. For mediums I don't find it necessary.
>would it help, hurt, or make no difference if I crossed wired the frames and let the bees incorporate the wire in the wax they make?
I would consider it for deeps. I would not do it on mediums or shallows. Make sure the hives are level.
I used mediums with wax starter strips and no wires on one of hives. All is well. the comb is straight and does not wobble around in the heat. I have noticed the bees to be slow to draw out the corners. It kind of looks like a top bar hive in a Lang frame. I am hopeful that the who frame will be drawn out as the fall progresses. I really like the look of the natural comb.