mediums in deep

Pond Creek Farm · May 17, 2008, 05:26:53 PM

Question for you: I have two new pakages installed in deeps. I should add that these all already regressed to 4.9 cell size). I want to standarize to medium. My plan is to pull all but about two deep frames that they started on and move those to the outside. I will add medium frames with starter strips. I can either allow them to fill the gap with burr comb and scrape it off later when I move the frames into a meduim box, or construct some sort of gap filler out of wood (a box I am thinking). Any ideas?

Michael Bush · May 17, 2008, 07:36:07 PM

You've got the principle. You can either cut the excess off the bottom when you move them to mediums and, if it's full of brood, tie it into frames, or you can try to fill it with something. Another option is to make a "shim" that is 3" tall to put on top of the medium box to hold some of the deep frames.

Pond Creek Farm · May 17, 2008, 08:32:54 PM

Is there any special trick to tying brood comb into a frame? Is it simply wrapping string and allowing the bees to fill in the gaps with wax?

buzzbee · May 17, 2008, 08:42:10 PM

Try to keep the comb up side in the same direction. You can use rubber bands to hold it in place.

DayValleyDahlias · May 17, 2008, 08:42:53 PM

Okay I am a bit confused here ( what else is new ).

I too have a hive that is in deeps that I would like to convert to mediums...However there are so many bees in this hive,and they are on that wax coated plastic stuff.

Would I have to remove each frame separately shake the bees off, and cut them to medium size in order to transfer to mediums??
*S

rast · May 17, 2008, 09:57:49 PM

Quote from: buzzbee on May 17, 2008, 08:42:10 PM
Try to keep the comb up side in the same direction. You can use rubber bands to hold it in place.

Also do your best to keep the comb centered vertically when you tie it in. I have one frame that the comb got offcenter and they will tie it to the one next to it in a heartbeat if i don't keep it spread a little on that side.

Michael Bush · May 18, 2008, 07:34:08 PM

String works, but is difficult to do with gloves on.

I haven't done it, but I would suspect one could shake the bees off of deep plastic combs, cut them on the table saw and them put them back in a medium.