Rewaxing plastic beehive foundation involves applying a fresh layer of beeswax to plastic frames that have been stripped of old comb. This process is necessary to mask the synthetic surface with a natural scent and texture, signaling to the colony that the foundation is habitable and ready for new construction.
Core Takeaway Plastic foundation provides structural durability, but bees may be reluctant to build on it without a sufficient wax coating. When reusing frames, applying a new layer of beeswax—even unpurified wax—is the critical step to ensure the colony accepts the artificial base and begins drawing comb.
The Necessity of Rewaxing
Plastic foundation is valued for its longevity, but it requires maintenance to remain functional within the hive.
Addressing Pest Damage
You must rewax foundation when the original comb has been compromised. Pests such as wax moths or hive beetles can destroy the existing wax structure, necessitating the removal of the old comb down to the plastic base.
Managing Aging Equipment
Over time, comb becomes old and unsuitable for brood rearing or honey storage. Once this old comb is scraped off, the bare plastic underneath is not immediately attractive to bees. A fresh application of wax bridges the gap between the bare plastic and a usable frame.
Wax Selection Criteria
Contrary to common assumptions, the preparation of the wax used for coating plastic frames differs from wax used for other cosmetic or commercial purposes.
Purity is Not Required
For the specific application of rewaxing foundation, the beeswax does not need to be highly purified. You do not need to subject the wax to rigorous filtration processes to remove all propolis or pollen debris.
The Benefit of "Dirty" Wax
Using less clean wax offers a distinct biological advantage. The impurities in unrefined wax often carry stronger pheromonal or olfactory cues. As a result, this "rough" wax may actually be more attractive to the bees than sterile, medical-grade wax, encouraging faster acceptance.
Overcoming Plastic Reluctance
The fundamental challenge with plastic foundation is not its strength, but its reception by the colony.
The Acceptance Barrier
While plastic is durable and easy to install, bees generally prefer natural materials. A colony may show reluctance to draw comb on bare or thinly coated plastic.
Encouraging Construction
The purpose of rewaxing is to mimic the texture and scent of natural beeswax foundation. By heavily coating the embossed honeycomb pattern, you leverage the bees' natural instincts, prompting them to build directly on the provided template.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While rewaxing extends the life of your equipment, how you manage these frames within the hive affects their success rate.
Mixing Foundation Types
A critical error is mixing new plastic foundation with new beeswax foundation in the same super or brood box. Because bees prefer the natural option, they will likely build on the pure wax foundation first and ignore the plastic frames.
Inconsistent Coating
If the plastic is not adequately coated, the bees may build "burr comb" or irregular structures rather than following the embossed pattern. The goal is to make the plastic sheet appear as a continuous sheet of wax to the bees.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When preparing your hives for the season, consider how rewaxed frames fit into your broader management strategy.
- If your primary focus is cost-efficiency: Utilize your own harvested, unpurified beeswax to recoat scraped plastic frames, as the "dirty" wax is free and highly attractive to bees.
- If your primary focus is rapid colony expansion: Ensure your rewaxed plastic frames are not placed immediately next to pure wax foundation sheets to prevent the bees from neglecting the plastic.
- If your primary focus is equipment longevity: Commit to scraping and rewaxing plastic frames immediately after pest damage is detected to return the durable assets to circulation quickly.
The success of plastic foundation relies entirely on the quality and presence of its wax coating.
Summary Table:
| Factor | Rewaxing Requirement | Benefit for Beekeepers |
|---|---|---|
| Wax Purity | Low (Unpurified is fine) | Saves time on filtration; more attractive to bees due to natural scents. |
| Reason for Use | Pest damage or old comb | Restores durable plastic frames to active service quickly. |
| Bee Acceptance | Heavy, even wax coating | Mimics natural wax sheets to overcome plastic reluctance. |
| Best Practice | Avoid mixing with pure wax sheets | Prevents bees from neglecting plastic frames in the same box. |
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