Wax or wood starter strips

nella · May 08, 2009, 12:00:23 PM

Dose anyone have any have an experience, if the bees prefer one over the other.

doak · May 08, 2009, 12:14:28 PM

I understand some are using wood. But I would think the bees would prefer wax.

I took a deep foundation, lay it on a hard surface. Use a wedge that comes off the frame for measure.
cut the strip the width of the wedge. Which is 1/2 inch.
Put on the foundation, up and down, not the length. sharp knife. the 2 strip fits from end bar to end
bar with about the width of one cell lap over in the middle.
You can get enough strips for over 30 frames. Install with wedge same as you would a full piece of foundation. No gluing. some may consider it time consuming, could be for many, many hives.
what I did :)doak

Robo · May 08, 2009, 01:10:55 PM

Wax or wood starter strips?

Coroplast :-P

oldenglish · May 08, 2009, 02:36:54 PM

I started hives out this year using both methods, bees did not appear to mind although it is easier using the wood as there is no wax melting.

doak · May 08, 2009, 07:58:33 PM

still don't understand the wax melting or glue.
I am going to use wedge top bars and just put the strip in as if it were foundation.
odd man out I guess. :)doak

doak · May 08, 2009, 08:17:29 PM

Guess not, if you have grooved top frames. :roll: :shock: :)doak

nella · May 08, 2009, 09:45:50 PM

Thanks for your responces!

Ross · May 08, 2009, 09:51:56 PM

Michael Bush · May 10, 2009, 08:55:34 PM

>Dose anyone have any have an experience, if the bees prefer one over the other.

I don't think the bees care. I like the wood because it's more durable.

Tyro · May 12, 2009, 09:12:28 AM

I have bees drawing on wood as I try to go foundationless and on strips of old plastic foundation in my top bar hive. I haven't noticed that they draw one better than the other.

WayneW · May 25, 2009, 09:02:20 PM

I use both, the bees dont seem to prefer one over the other, i only use the wax in the supers i plan on getting cut comb from. The wood is a bit sturdier.

MollySuesHoney · June 04, 2009, 12:21:18 PM

I use tongue depressor sticks. They draw was from them very well. If you want coat them with wax.

luvin honey · June 04, 2009, 03:53:43 PM

I'm using wood--paint stir sticks glued into a sawn groove in my flat topbar, then trimmed down to about 1/4". The girls pounded out about 15 brood combs each in 3 weeks. I don't use any wax--just the wood.

nella · June 04, 2009, 04:18:23 PM

I also have used just wood starter strips and it is working well!