wacky house day

.

Here are the results of yet another experiment: I thought I’d try putting honey frames into the hive without foundation. Other beekeepers suggested rubbing beeswax along the top underside of the frame, to encourage the bees to start the foundation along that line. Sounded like a great idea. So I tried it. I put wires in the frames:

I rubbed beeswax along the top underside:

Then the bees made a glorious mess of it. Sigh.

I have to admit, there is something really beautiful about honeycomb that is not constrained by frames; however, I would really like to be able to spin the honey out of the frames, so I will need the comb to be in the frames. This stuff, I will likely be pressing out of the comb. Candles, anyone?

.