Bee space in hive.....

[SteveSC]

I read somewhere what the working space was for bees in a hive.  I'm thinking it said 1\4" or 5\16" wa the space needed for bees to be able to get around in the hive and not have them connect everything with comb.

If someone has the correct spacing I'd appreciate that information.  I'm putting some rounds together in a few supers and the spacing will be critical.  Thanks.

[Brian D. Bray]

The actual bee space is 1/4 inch but most Langstroth hive equipment uses 3/8 inch.  Believing, I guess, that bigger is better.  
Comb diameter was found to be 4.9-5.1 cm but the producers of foundation went with 5.4 thinking that this would create a bigger bee which in turn would increase the size of the load it could carry.  It succeeded in making a larger bee but the load increase has never been substatiated to my knowledge.
Also, the larger comb now tends to give varroa mites a bigger opening in which to transfer from host bee to bee larva compounding the varroa problem.  Decreasing the cell size back to 3.9-5.1 seems to decrease the transfer therby interrupting the mite reproduction cycle.
Again, the frames were made to provide longer comb so that each frame could hold more honey.
When it comes to comb, bees, and varroa mites less is better. Reportedly, smaller, shallower comb gives better varroa protection.

[Michael Bush]

Beespace between boxes and on the top and sides is between 1/4 and 3/8".

Beespace on the bottom of the hive is between 1/4" and 3/4".

[Brian D. Bray]

MB:  Beespace on the bottom of the hive is between 1/4" and 3/4".

That is in industry standard, I prefer to keep the beespace as close to 1/4 inch as much as posssible.  I use 3/8 inch on my bottom boards as I find this tends to reduce robbing and I don't have to resort to such contraptions as robber screens that can confuse the bees.  I keep a few stips of 3/8 inch thick strips or varying lengths to reduce or enlarge the entrance space as necessary.

[SteveSC]

Thanks guys - that's the information I needed.