Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Patrick Thomas]

.

I was due for another top bar removal.

In this one I show some detail with how I attach the comb to the bars.


VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33d4e3LkOaI


.

[Ollie]

That was a nice clean job. always enjoy watching your videos.

[Patrick Thomas]

[rays]

Patrick,

Many thanks for your video. I used a variation of your technique to "re-hang" a collapsed brood comb today. A similar piece of grid wire ("hardware cloth") but bent down over the side from the top of the bar so I expect to be able to completely remove the wire once the comb has been reattached.

It looks as though you would have to cut the wire away but the underside of the bar would always have the wire remaining on its underside? (Until retired from the hive, at least.) A possible disadvantage of my variation is that there remains a slim wire-width gap between this wired top bar and its neighbour.

My question is how long, in your view or that of others with experience reading this, I should expect to wait before the connection made by the bees will be strong enough to extract the wire prongs safely while removing the support completely so I can close up this temporary 1-2 mm gap and return everything to normal? Thanks.

[AndyC]

Wont the gap be closed up with propolis anyway?
You could just leave those three bars locked together until needs must, maybe.
Just a suggestion.

[BridgetB]

I made small saw cuts in the positions of the wires going down the side of the bar. The wire slips in easily and avoids gaps. They also help to hold the wire in position.

[rays]

Thanks BridgetB

I wish I had thought of that simple adaptation before I put this bar to use! But good advice for any next time.

[Patrick Thomas]

.

My apologies for taking so long to respond.

I never cut the hardware cloth away, even after they've fully repaired and attached the comb to the bar.

It's just too much trouble.

The mesh doesn't seem to be of any significant hindrance.

.