Comb Management: Managing Beeswax and Foundation

Learn how strategic management of wax resources and systematic comb replacement affect the health of the bee colony and honey production efficiency.

Why is Comb Replacement Crucial?

Combs in a beehive are not permanent fixtures, and their quality systematically deteriorates over time. The main reason is the brood-rearing process: each emerging bee leaves behind a cocoon and feces in the cell, leading to a gradual reduction in cell volume. It is estimated that after the emergence of 10–12 generations of bees, the cell volume significantly decreases. Bees reared in such “cramped” cells are smaller, physically weaker, and show lower resistance to diseases.

Additionally, old combs, which darken over time from brown to black, become a breeding ground for pathogens, including American foulbrood spores and other disease-causing microorganisms. Therefore, systematic hive renewal is one of the most effective preventive health measures in an apiary.

Technical and Numerical Parameters of Combs

Proper comb management requires knowledge of specific parameters:

• Replacement cycle: It is recommended to completely replace all combs in the hive every 2–3 years, which means drawing out about 6–8 new combs per year for each colony.
• Dimensions and weight: A standard sheet of foundation measuring 410x260 mm should have a thickness such that 1 kg contains 15–16 sheets.
• Cell parameters: The diameter of a worker bee cell is about 5.4 mm, while a drone cell is about 6.4-7.0 mm.
• Wax production efficiency: Producing 1 kg of wax costs a bee colony from 6 to 10 kg of honey (some sources cite an average of 8 kg).
• Temperature: Beeswax melts at a temperature of 62–64°C.

Strategy for Introducing Foundation into the Hive

Introducing foundation should be synchronized with the natural development cycle of the colony and the occurrence of nectar flows.

1. Start time: The first hive expansion is performed about a month after the cleansing flight, when the colony occupies 8–10 frames and a supporting nectar flow appears.
2. Preparing the foundation: If the foundation was produced using soap or starch as separators, it is worth rinsing it in warm water, which encourages bees to build faster.
3. Mounting in the frame: The foundation sheet should be placed so that a gap of 5–8 mm remains between the bottom bar of the frame and the edge of the wax, preventing the comb from becoming wavy during construction.
4. Location in the hive: The frame with foundation is placed in the center of the brood nest, preferably between frames with open brood and frames with honey and bee bread stores. We try not to split the brood cluster.
5. Stimulating construction: During weaker nectar flows, construction can be accelerated by feeding the bees sugar syrup or honey syrup (e.g., in a ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part honey).

Optimal Utilization and Recovery of Wax

Wax is a valuable by-product, the production of which can be optimized by using so-called drone frames. These are empty frames in which bees can freely build drone combs, which not only provides fresh wax but also helps in the fight against Varroa destructor by removing drone brood.

Methods of obtaining wax:

• Solar wax melter: The simplest method for obtaining high-quality wax.
• Steam wax melter: Allows for frame disinfection and efficient wax rendering even from dark combs, without the risk of damaging them.
• Wax press: The most efficient method, allowing for wax recovery from “slumgum” (residue after rendering), where wax is pressed out under pressure from beeswax cappings boiled in water.

Remember, wax from apiaries affected by diseases should not circulate as foundation but should be sterilized at high temperatures. Systematically removing black, moldy, or contaminated combs from the hive is the foundation of apiary hygiene.