I just saw a you tube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uljvn0o9MuA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uljvn0o9MuA) where a fellow named David Burns done an experiment with some wax coated foundation frames. He added more wax to some and none to others. They were placed in different locations in the super. It seemed that the ones he added wax to was drawn out a lot quicker. Mind you, he was adding wax to wax coated foundation frames.
Has anyone tried this?
I have and it helped. I bought some of those PF-120 frames fron Mann Lake and had a little trouble getting them fully drawn. They would draw sections and not draw the rest. I painted them with extra wax and they drew them right out.
Not an uncommon practice ----crock pot and a brush...
I have experimented with this and my unofficial results are that it improves the uniformity of drawn comb. I have also used sugar water to spray the frames with just before placing them in the hive and it helps, but not nothing like waxing the frames. If you have clean wax I think it is worth your time.
When I order frames and foundation from Kelly, I buy a 2lb brick of beeswax and scrub it into the foundation. It seems to help quite a bit to get them going.
Pretty happy I was generous with the wax when I painted all my plastic frames. I wasn't really sure how much to use, that video makes me think I should use more next time.
I have known David Burns for a few years, very knowledgeable guy. Bought my first hive and bees from him, they were dang good bees too! If you get on their website: http://basicbeekeeping.blogspot.com/, (http://basicbeekeeping.blogspot.com/,) they have step by step basic beekeeping lessons 1 thru 96 for anyone interested, they are very informative.
Did it and it made a difference.
Small crockpot ($3 at second hand store) and a brush.
Beewildered; I did a quick glance at that link and it said the blog doesn't exist anymore. If anyone is interested their homepage is www.honeybeesonline.com (http://www.honeybeesonline.com) Like B said, very informative and beginner language level lessons. I plan to read all of them and recommend that new beeks do the same.
Well, I went to it again and it's there.
GSF...yeah, I looked at it before I posted and it was there.... I got some frames wax moths cleaned all the wax off the plastic, so I am going to coat them, and then coat them again, and see how they do.
I use a small sponge paint roller to apply my wax over the top of foundation. I would hesitate to use wax from another source as it might contain foulbrood spores.
I think putting the wax back into the hive is probably the wisest way one can use the wax. The quicker combs are drawn, the greater potential for more honey.
Good point Bakers, I saw the you tube video and the paint "brush" was imprinted in my mind. A sponge roller would be much better.