When utilizing plastic frames in your honey supers, you should strictly limit your configuration to 9 or 10 frames per box. Unlike traditional wax foundation, bees are less inclined to draw out comb on plastic frames into wide, thick storage cells; providing too much space between plastic frames typically causes the bees to build irregular, messy structures rather than clean honeycomb.
Core Takeaway While reducing frame counts to create "fat" combs is a common strategy, plastic frames require a higher frame density to function correctly. Stick to 9 or 10 frames to ensure bees draw the comb directly on the foundation rather than building unwanted bridge comb in the gaps.
The Unique Constraints of Plastic Foundation
Bees Treat Plastic Differently
Bees do not draw out comb on plastic frames in the same manner as they do on wax foundation. The artificial substrate changes their building behavior.
If given excessive space, bees often reject the flat surface of the plastic. Instead of building outward from the foundation, they may construct comb between the frames or in irregular patterns.
The Consequences of Wide Spacing
Using fewer than 9 frames with plastic foundation invites chaos. The primary reference indicates that bees will create a "mess" if the frames are spaced too widely.
This usually manifests as bridge comb (burr comb) connecting adjacent frames. This makes inspections difficult and can damage the comb when you attempt to pry frames apart.
Understanding the Spacing Strategy
Why Beekeepers Reduce Frame Counts
The standard practice of using 9 or 8 frames in a 10-frame box is designed to encourage bees to build "fatter" honeycombs.
With more space, bees extend the cell walls further out. These wider combs are significantly easier to uncap with a knife because the cappings protrude past the wood of the frame.
The 9-Frame Compromise
Using 9 frames is generally the "sweet spot" for plastic. It offers a balance between the stability required for plastic foundation and the ease of uncapping provided by slightly wider combs.
Nine frames spaced evenly tend to produce comb that is drawn evenly from top to bottom. This consistency is crucial for automated extracting systems.
The Risks of 8-Frame Spacing
While 8-frame spacing is popular for wax foundation to create very thick combs, it is generally inadvisable for plastic frames.
In addition to the bees building messy bridge comb, 8 frames in a 10-frame box lack physical stability. When the box is empty or being moved, the frames have a tendency to fall over or slide, making handling frustrating.
Common Pitfalls and Trade-offs
The "Wasted Space" Issue
Improperly spaced frames can lead to tapered combs—wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. This results in wasted volume within the super.
Maintaining a higher frame count (9 or 10) helps force the bees to utilize the entire surface area of the plastic foundation evenly.
Bridge Comb vs. Extraction Speed
There is a trade-off between hive maintenance and extraction room efficiency. Fewer frames mean less time uncapping and extracting (reducing handling by over 10%).
However, if you use plastic frames with wide spacing to save time in the extraction room, you will likely lose that time in the apiary scraping off bridge comb and dealing with cross-comb issues.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When setting up supers with plastic frames, your configuration should be dictated by your tolerance for maintenance versus your need for extraction speed.
- If your primary focus is reliability and straight comb: Use 10 frames. This forces the bees to draw the plastic foundation correctly and minimizes bridge comb.
- If your primary focus is easier uncapping: Use 9 frames, but ensure they are spaced perfectly evenly to prevent irregular comb construction.
- If your primary focus is "fat" combs for cut comb honey: Avoid plastic frames for this specific goal; use foundationless frames or wax foundation with 9-frame spacing instead.
By keeping your plastic frames tightly packed, you work with the bees' instincts rather than fighting them.
Summary Table:
| Spacing Strategy | Recommended Frame Count | Ideal Foundation Type | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Setup | 10 Frames | Plastic or Wax | Maximum stability and straightest comb |
| Optimal Efficiency | 9 Frames | Plastic (Evenly Spaced) | Balances ease of uncapping with comb regularity |
| High-Volume Storage | 8-9 Frames | Wax Foundation | Produces "fat" combs for easier knife uncapping |
| Cut Comb Production | 8-9 Frames | Foundationless/Wax | Natural comb thickness; not recommended for plastic |
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