I/'m going to remove some bees from a guy's Bar by his swimming pool next week.I usually tie the combs in with cotton string has anyone used elastics before (elastic bands) When I've used string it gets hard fingers sticky suff like that I wondered about elastic bands
kirko
I use rubber bands, after about 2 weeks you will see the rubber bands at the entrance, the break or be chewed in half and then taken out of the hive, all comb is attached to frames then.... I use the 1/4 inch wide type, get them at the dollar store for a buck and its about 200 count...
Last summer I used foundation wire as package string when I moved natural combs to frames. Bees install combs into frames during next 12 hours. As missing parts I used pieces of foundation.
I tryed rubber bands but they did not worked properly. Important is to push normal frames wires somehow inside comb.
+1 for Dollar store rubber bands.
I pre-install them on the end of the frames before hand. Cut the comb to fit and just slide the bands over. As Ted stated, in a few weeks they are all on the bottom board.
I've used string and I've used rubber bands. Both work fine from the point of view of holding the comb in. The rubber bands are MUCH easier to get one with sticky hands and gloves than the string is to tie under those same conditions.
I'm with Robo.... Put the rubber bands on the ends of the frames and its easier than trying to hold the comb in the frame and start a band or string.
Placing the rubber bands on the frames so they only have to be moved into place works best.
Thak you for the data
kirko