Natural Sized Comb

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm

[little john]

Once I setup a whole medium box of empty frames and the bees started combs from bottom of the frame. 

If bees really want to live somewhere - then they'll figure out a way to draw comb there 

If you think about previously unoccupied tree cavities with their rotten tops, or chimneys with no tops to them at all, then it's almost certain that bees start drawing their combs out from the sides.  In another thread, I posted a picture of this taking place on one of my 14" frames.

Here's a shot of a good example of this having happened 'in the wild' - there's no top bars or starter strips there ... but they managed to draw their combs out ok:



LJ

[Michael Bush]

>Once I setup a whole medium box of empty frames and the bees started combs from bottom of the frame.

And that box was on top.  Put it on the bottom.

[BeeMaster2]

LJ,
That is one pretty open air hive. Do they survive like that during your winters?
Jim

[little john]

Hi Jim - that's a newspaper photograph of a swarm (quite a small cast swarm, judging by the comb spacing) which set up home in a nature-trail area of parkland about 30 miles north of me.  Such events are rare in these parts, and so it received a lot of media attention. Then - somebody removed it - no doubt with the best of intentions, as I'm sure it wouldn't have survived.  In a hotter country maybe such a small colony would have stood a chance - but I doubt very much whether it would have survived outdoors in the UK.

But - it just goes to show how flexible honey bees can be when it comes to building comb ! 
LJ

[pjigar]

>Once I setup a whole medium box of empty frames and the bees started combs from bottom of the frame.
And that box was on top.  Put it on the bottom.

Another great idea. Thanks.