Define "frames of bees"

Cindi · February 25, 2007, 11:23:43 AM

It has been almost two years now since I have been keeping bees. I still have not figured out completely what is meant when people speak about "frames of bees". Meaning, how many frames of bees.

Below you will see the picture of one of my colonies that I took on Thursday, last. I removed 3 frames and put in a styrofoam divider to keep this colony warmer. I also put a terrarium heater inside as well. I am hoping that this will allow this poor tiny little colony to develop faster because of the added warmth.

Our weather is warming up very nicely, but still is not warm. Today at 6:00 A.M. it was +4 celsius, I think that is somewhere around 38 F or so, not really cold, but certainly far from warm.

Look at the picture and tell me how many frames of bees this picture depicts. If I were to understand what the jargon "frame of bees" means, I would have to say that this colony has only 1/4 frame of bees. The cluster has obviously broken during the time of the picture and there would be many bees on the face of the comb. But still, this is a confusing issue to me.

Let's hear what forum members perceive what "frames of bees" implies.

Right, and another question, why do they build so much burr comb between the frames? Still don't get that aspect either. Could be something I am doing wrong personally?

Best of the best day. Cindi

Understudy · February 25, 2007, 11:34:49 AM

Quote from: Cindi on February 25, 2007, 11:23:43 AM
It has been almost two years now since I have been keeping bees. I still have not figured out completely what is meant when people speak about "frames of bees". Meaning, how many frames of bees.

frames of bees, when bees cover the frame. You have a frame of bees. This usually happens with brood frames, but it can happen with honey frames during a flow.

Quote
Below you will see the picture of one of my colonies that I took on Thursday, last. I removed 3 frames and put in a styrofoam divider to keep this colony warmer. I also put a terrarium heater inside as well. I am hoping that this will allow this poor tiny little colony to develop faster because of the added warmth.

Our weather is warming up very nicely, but still is not warm. Today at 6:00 A.M. it was +4 celsius, I think that is somewhere around 38 F or so, not really cold, but certainly far from warm.

I wouldn't be out in that without thermal underware on.

Quote
Look at the picture and tell me how many frames of bees this picture depicts. If I were to understand what the jargon "frame of bees" means, I would have to say that this colony has only 1/4 frame of bees. The cluster has obviously broken during the time of the picture and there would be many bees on the face of the comb. But still, this is a confusing issue to me.

Let's hear what forum members perceive what "frames of bees" implies.

Right, and another question, why do they build so much burr comb between the frames? Still don't get that aspect either. Could be something I am doing wrong personally?

Best of the best day. Cindi

It looks like you have about four or five frames of bees from the pictures. I think pulling the extra frames was good. It looks like they didn't loose any ground.

They build burr comb so they can walk from frame to frame and move the queen from frame to frame to lay eggs. Burr comb is not evil just sometimes a little annoying.

Read:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#leaveburr

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Ruben · February 25, 2007, 11:39:51 AM

I can not define it but I would call that three frames meaning the cluster is on about three frames, I usually call it a frame of bees when I pull a frame to give it to another hive. The frame and what ever bees are on it(make sure the queen is not).

As to the burr comb, I think that is probably the genetics of your colony. I have read that some are worse than others. None of mine are as bad as in your picture.

Jerrymac · February 25, 2007, 11:47:03 AM

Bees will build more burr comb when the "bee Space" is too big. I see some of your frames are not pushed tightly together. At least one of your frames looks warped a bit. Proper bee space does cut down on the amount of burr comb. But there will always bee a little.

Cindi · February 25, 2007, 11:56:16 AM

Jerry, now that is an interesting observation. I know that I do not have the frames all pushed tightly together. I used deeps with 10 frames. When I push them all together tight, then I have a substantial space on the end of the hive body. That is why I have left a narrow space between the frames.

How does one get around this? Is it better to have a little extra space between the frames, as I do, or better to have a larger space on the end of the frames. Stuff I still am not getting. Gotta ask questions. The best of days. Cindi

Jerrymac · February 25, 2007, 11:59:50 AM

I push my frames tight together and usually leave all the space on one side. This way I can move that first frame I am going to take out away from the one beside it enough so I don't "roll" the bees and possibly the queen.

I think some people equal out the gap on both sides.

Mici · February 25, 2007, 02:09:33 PM

cindi, by the way, what do you put in the pattie? i have never seen a pattie this dark!

Finsky · February 25, 2007, 02:19:19 PM

Cindi, you have good pictures to learn.

Even you have restricted the space, it is too much 3 frames. The medieval board should be tight against inner roof that warm air does not escape to emty part of box. And the small holes on frame shelve is possible to stuck with superlon.

When your big hives get new bees, help with frame those week hives.

newbee101 · February 25, 2007, 02:48:33 PM

I see 3 1/2 to 4 frames of bees. Not bad for the end of winter. One always hopes for more.
My colonies look to be about the same as yours.

QuoteI think some people equal out the gap on both sides.

Thats what I do.

QuoteEven you have restricted the space, it is too much 3 frames.

I used the blueboard in one of my weak colonies and it died anyway.
I did not restrict my other hives and they are doing fine.

Michael Bush · February 25, 2007, 02:54:04 PM

I'd call that about one frame of bees all at one end of five frames. It looks like that's about all they actually cover in area would be one frame on both sides.

Restricting the space will help them get a better start this spring. They will probably survive without it, but they will have an easier time.

newbee101 · February 25, 2007, 03:02:15 PM

QuoteI'd call that about one frame of bees all at one end of five frames.

I guess maybe my bees are not as strong as I thought.
You learn something new everyday. :-D

Finsky · February 25, 2007, 03:09:17 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on February 25, 2007, 02:54:04 PM

Restricting the space will help them get a better start this spring.

Often I restrict 2-box hive in spring to one box. These hives have strong start.

When bees have big space, they need to warm it up vainly . Nothing mystery in that. - Or otherwise, if is cold they must keep smaller brood area.

Michael Bush · February 25, 2007, 03:16:12 PM

>s it better to have a little extra space between the frames, as I do, or better to have a larger space on the end of the frames.

Better on the ends of the frames. Better yet, cut the end bars down to 1 1/4" (32mm) and put an extra frame in. :) Spacing them out in the brood nest is asking for problems with burr comb and fat honey that sticks out past the face of the brood comb. Tightly together is the way to do the brood nest. It's also the way to do foundation anywhere until it's drawn. After it's drawn, supers can be spaced out as much as you like.

If the empty space bothers you (it doesn't bother me) make a follower board to put on the end to fill that space. If you take a piece of 1/4" luan and cut it to the size and shape of the silhouette of a frame, including the end bars), you can put it 1/4" to 3/8" from the end to fill that space.

Cindi · February 26, 2007, 12:24:02 AM

Quote from: Mici on February 25, 2007, 02:09:33 PM
cindi, by the way, what do you put in the pattie? i have never seen a pattie this dark!

Mici, I use sugar, water, irradiated pollen and brewer's yeast.
The exact recipe I put on the forum a little while ago. It is the brewer's yeast probably that makes it so dark. I have only seen this colour of patty, dark, I have not seen any light coloured patties. Maybe it is the pollen gathered in our area? Don't know. Great day. Cindi

Cindi · February 26, 2007, 12:33:13 AM

Quote from: Finsky on February 25, 2007, 02:19:19 PM
Even you have restricted the space, it is too much 3 frames. The medieval board should be tight against inner roof that warm air does not escape to emty part of box. And the small holes on frame shelve is possible to stuck with superlon.
When your big hives get new bees, help with frame those week hives.

I will not be able to do any work with the hive because tomorrow I am going to be gone all day each day until Friday taking the bee master course at our university. Maybe I can check things out on Saturday, maybe not. In that empty part of box is where I put the terrarium heaters on both colonies, so hopefully this will help to keep it warmer than it was previously. The heater pads were placed on the bottom of the bottomboard, sitting on little feet.

I do not have big hives to get bigger. Remember, I lost all the colonies, except 2 of them. I think that these will be OK. So I do not have any big hives to get bees from to help the weak colonies. Not unless something miraculous happens to one of these weak colonies.

I was outside today and it was rather sunny and very warm. The temperature I would say would have been about +10 celsius. Both of the colonies were extremely busy outside with the bees flying in and out and hovering infront of the entrance. It looked to me like young bees performing their orientation flight. Maybe so, maybe not. they certainly were examining the front of their boxes though. Have the best of days. Cindi

Finsky · February 26, 2007, 01:53:24 AM

Quote from: Cindi on February 26, 2007, 12:33:13 AM
In that empty part of box is where I put the terrarium heaters on both colonies, so hopefully this will help to keep it warmer than it was previously.

That is well done. It surely helps build up. :-D

BEE C · February 26, 2007, 05:39:41 AM

Nice to see your pictures up cindy! Gives me an idea of what to look for. I haven't ever really figured out what people mean about frames of bees. I think thats why I had a swarm last spring. Confusing too because they were hanging low in one hive, but the other day the weaker hive looked to have more bees?? They certainly are chewing up the patties though. I checked today for signs of mice, and how far along the patties are. Still have the first patties on, but they are about half gone. I closed up the latch to the slide out tray and have seen no more signs of mice on it. Good luck with class! :-D