Warped Foundation

[bigfathairybiker]

Hi All,

Although everything appears ok with my new hive, a quick check up on Monday after all the commotion of Saturdays transfer, I've noticed that some of the frames ( all new foundation ) have warped foundation probably from getting too warm during the move.

Should I just leave it and let the bees do their stuff?

They haven't build more than a few cells on one or two frames. They appear to be building very shallow cells and filling them with the sugar solution they have in the feeder.

I suppose another question would be, do bees normally start using cells before they are full depth?



Mark

 

[dexter's shed]

the only trouble with letting them build on it as is, is when you try taking it out,
I would remove it from the frame and place something not to heavy on it to flatten it back down before re inserting it

 

[snelgrove]

Take it out and straighten it otherwise replace with fresh, the latter is my preference

 

[enrico]

If it is a tight fit when you make the frames up, it expands in the heat and warps. Cut the edge off to give just a little room on fitting.
E

 

[YorkshireBees]

If it is a tight fit when you make the frames up, it expands in the heat and warps. Cut the edge off to give just a little room on fitting.
E

Simple mistake to make. As enrico said the foundation sheet should not fit too tightly when first put in the frame.
I generally end up trimming a mil or couple off one end so that when it expands it doesn't warp.

Just make sure that you don't take too much off and the end isn't in the side bar slot anymore!

 

[BeeJayBee]

Just make sure that you don't take too much off and the end isn't in the side bar slot anymore!

Doesn't need to go in the side slot, there isn't one on either Langstroth or Dadant frames and the bees manage just fine without it.

 

[Dishmop]

One lot I bought last year all needed trimming.

Stanley knife and steel rule or some other straight edge, like whatever you can find in the kitchen...

You can do it with scissors but it sticks to the blades.

 

[Hachi]

I've cut a two pieces of kingspan 1" thick to the exact internal dimensions of the frame for both supers and brood. Warm up the foundation with a hairdryer, just hot enough to get it moving then sandwich it between the two pieces of kingspan and apply a little weight. Give it a couple of minutes and you'll have pressed it flat again.

 

[Dishmop]

I've cut a two pieces of kingspan 1" thick to the exact internal dimensions of the frame for both supers and brood. Warm up the foundation with a hairdryer, just hot enough to get it moving then sandwich it between the two pieces of kingspan and apply a little weight. Give it a couple of minutes and you'll have pressed it flat again.

Nice idea..

 

[yeogi75]

I just use the correx that came with it cut to size and one each side, now I use bbq sticks and let them build there own, you loose small amount of honey crop but small price to pay, also they build drone coomb on some of the frames which you remove when cap as part of your varroa treatment,

 

[bigfathairybiker]

Thank you all for the replies.

I'll be checking and fixing on Saturday if weather is ok.

Hopefully all will go ok.

Mark