Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[harrance]

Hi All,
We are well into the new season here and I have 2 new hives (from caught swarms) going fantastically. The problem is that I don't have the time to check their progress as I would like and consequentially they have started to cross comb fairly badly.
Last season I was following an interesting thread about an idea for comb straighteners. Now I can not find the thread.
I wanted to give the "comb straightener" idea a try to see if it might help. As I recall it was a piece of material the shape of a follower board but with a bee space all around and a big hole cut in the middle.
If someone can give me some more information about these straighteners and their construction and use, it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Gary.

[Garret]

Your two best options are to use wax foundation strips that extend the full length of the bar with a bee space left on each end from the wall. It should also extend to an exposed depth of a minimum of 1". A short follower board attached to a normal width bar that is as thick as a normal worker comb will minimize curving of the comb ends. This should extend down 1 1/2" to 2" and have the bee space at the ends to the side walls. They will build comb extended from the bottom of the board which is what you want at the same time gives a barrier above to stop the curving of combs built next to it.

I've had very good results using the 1" foundation strips with many hives that I don't have time to regularly check. Some as long as one month between visits.