Do you need a follower board?

[Foxhound]

Is it necessary to have a follower board in your hive and move it along as the hive grows?

I know it is helpful if you are starting a colony in a TBH without any comb, the follow board gives them some guidance on comb direction.

After they have several combs being formed in the right direction, can you remove the follow board and let them continue on?

While they are expanding their comb, I add empty bars inbetween full bars to keep the comb straight. That is why I think the follower board is kinda pointless. Am I missing anything?

-Adam

[Michael Bush]

What's with the huge typeface?  Kind of blinding...

>Is it necessary to have a follower board in your hive and move it along as the hive grows?

No.

>I know it is helpful if you are starting a colony in a TBH without any comb, the follow board gives them some guidance on comb direction.

Perhaps.  But it also limits the space they have to heat and cool and guard.

>After they have several combs being formed in the right direction, can you remove the follow board and let them continue on?

If I ever bothered to make one, I would use it a lot especially on a colony that is small and building.

>While they are expanding their comb, I add empty bars inbetween full bars to keep the comb straight. That is why I think the follower board is kinda pointless. Am I missing anything?

Yes.  It's really about managing space.  But you can do fine without one at all.

[Foxhound]

I changed the font, but the forum doesn't let you know what you changed it to...

Thanks for the answer

[capt44]

A follower board will let you manage the hive size as far as empty space goes.
The bees can guard and take care of a hive that doesn't have a lot of bare or empty space.

[Joe D]

When I built my TBH I put a strip of Plexiglas in one side so I could watch them.  I had a follower board that I usually placed a couple of empty frames before.  Oh, I made frames not just the top bar.  I would also have a few empty frames between the full ones.  As has been said it limits the space they had to protect, warm and defend.  When they got the hive about two thirds complete I removed it.   I took a top bar, routed a slot in the middle and put a lang. shallow super on.    You can go with or without though, like most beekeeping what YOU do is up to you.  Good luck to you and your bees.


Joe