comb on the bottom screen...

gundalf · May 25, 2010, 07:52:12 PM

On my initial (2 week) inspection of our two hives which were started from packages 26 days ago, showed everything OK except for a few bumps in the comb, which I trimmed, but dropped a small bit between center frames... Today's inspection showed some more of the bumps, which I trimmed, but when I got to the center frames, I found that they have built a rather large comb on the bottom screen... I assume that this must come out, but being a newbee am not sure how best to remove it without removing about 4 frames and shoveling it out... It appears to be nearly saucer sized but does not touch the frames... Any advise will be greatly appreciated... Thanks... Tom

AllenF · May 25, 2010, 08:09:49 PM

This comb is on the bottom of the frame and the top of the screen, right? Are your bees crowded? Make sure they have enough space on top. I really don't worry about burr comb much unless it get's in the way or just looks bad. The bur comb in a ladder to get up to the frame above.

tim adams · May 25, 2010, 08:12:22 PM

I would remove the hive body and sit it on the top to get to the bottom board screen, but it needs to come out IMHO.
Tim Adams

riverrat · May 25, 2010, 08:16:54 PM

a saucer size comb being built up from the bottom i assume between frames. are the frames it is between drawn I am thinking you have a problem with bee space are your frames pushed tightly together what is the distance from your screened bottom board to the bottom of the frames they may be building a ladder to get to the frames if there is to much space. I would remove the frames and remove the comb. if they keep building it and there is no apparent reason i wopuld leave it and move on the bees will always win an arguement between themselves and a keeper.

gundalf · May 25, 2010, 11:13:06 PM

Quote from: riverrat on May 25, 2010, 08:16:54 PM
a saucer size comb being built up from the bottom i assume between frames. are the frames it is between drawn I am thinking you have a problem with bee space are your frames pushed tightly together what is the distance from your screened bottom board to the bottom of the frames they may be building a ladder to get to the frames if there is to much space. I would remove the frames and remove the comb. if they keep building it and there is no apparent reason i wopuld leave it and move on the bees will always win an arguement between themselves and a keeper.

No... The small saucer/hand section of comb is flat across the bottom screen/board and doesn't touch the frames...

riverrat · May 25, 2010, 11:33:54 PM

thats odd never had that happen or seen it an any cutouts are you sure some how a piece of new comb didnt fall from one of the frames this is a new one on me

gundalf · May 26, 2010, 08:36:57 AM

Quote from: riverrat on May 25, 2010, 11:33:54 PM
thats odd never had that happen or seen it an any cutouts are you sure some how a piece of new comb didnt fall from one of the frames this is a new one on me

As I said originally, a small piece of comb did fall to the bottom... They just "improved on it"...