Fused Frames

[calvis]

Hi there,  this is my first year doing backyard beekeeping.

I took a peek in my box today and noticed that there were 2 frames that were fused together.   I broke them apart and noticed some larva that got damaged in the process.   Did I do the right thing in breaking the frames apart?   I have yet to find the queen, but I do see some nice worker brood.

Thanks,

Charles Alvis

Redmond, WA

[JP]

Yes and no. If you don't separate the frames, it will become more difficult if not impossible to inspect these frames in the future. They may crosscomb on those frames regardless of what you do. Now, in the broodnest, you want to inspect, but you want to do so without a whole bunch of intrusion. As long as the queen is laying a good pattern and you don't have too many drones and things seem to be in order, I wouldn't worry too much over it. The key is to allow them to build up strong so they can make honey for you.

[Michael Bush]

The combs are probably either crooked or cross combed.  I'd remove any bridges beween them and try to straighten any crooked comb.

[Robo]

Also make sure your frames are pushed tightly together with any additional space left on the outsides.  This will minimize them building brace comb between the frames.

[Kirk-o]

Go ahead and straighten them out the bees will like that
kirko