How Must Plastic Frames Be Prepared For Bees? Expert Tips For 100% Acceptance & Success

To ensure bees accept and utilize plastic frames, you must coat the surface with a layer of melted beeswax. Bees have an innate aversion to synthetic surfaces; without a beeswax coating to act as a biological attractant, the colony will almost certainly reject the frame and refuse to build comb on it.

The success of plastic frames hinges entirely on deception. Because bees choose natural materials over plastic 100% of the time, brushing the frames with melted beeswax is the critical step that "tricks" the colony into accepting the synthetic foundation.

The Biology of Acceptance

The Preference for Natural Materials

Bees possess a strong biological imperative to build on natural surfaces.

When presented with a choice between a standard plastic frame and one made of real beeswax foundation, bees will gravitate toward the natural wax 100% of the time.

To bridge this gap, the plastic must be disguised with organic material to trigger the bees' building instincts.

The Role of "Festooning"

Comb construction begins with a process called festooning, where bees hang together in chains to secrete wax.

They require a distinct tactile guide or "starting point" to begin this process.

On wooden frames, this is often achieved using V-shaped bottom bars or guide slots; on plastic frames, the brushed wax layer serves this function, providing the foothold necessary for festooning to begin.

Understanding the Trade-offs

Durability vs. Acceptance

Plastic frames are frequently used in honey supers because they are durable and withstand high-speed honey extraction without breaking.

However, this durability comes at the cost of immediate acceptance by the bees.

If the wax coating is insufficient or wears off, bees may treat the frame as a foreign object rather than a part of the hive infrastructure.

Brood Chamber Considerations

While plastic is efficient for honey storage, many beekeepers prefer different methods for the brood chamber located below the honey super.

In the brood nest, allowing bees to build comb entirely from their own wax—using starter strips or natural foundation—often results in better brood rearing conditions.

Plastic frames in the brood chamber must be heavily waxed to ensure the queen has a proper layout for laying eggs.

Making the Right Choice for Your Goal

Whether you are setting up honey supers or expanding a brood nest, the preparation remains the key to success.

If your primary focus is High Acceptance: Apply an extra heavy coat of melted beeswax to all plastic frames to maximize the likelihood of the bees drawing them out quickly.
If your primary focus is Natural Structure: Avoid plastic in the brood chamber and opt for wooden frames with wax starter strips to allow bees to build comb from scratch.
If your primary focus is Durability: Utilize plastic frames in your honey supers for extraction, but ensure they are refreshed with new wax if they have been stored or cleaned.

Proper preparation turns a synthetic obstacle into a productive asset for your colony.

Summary Table:

Factor	Plastic Frame (Uncoated)	Plastic Frame (Wax-Coated)	Natural Wood/Wax
Bee Acceptance	Extremely Low	High (Tricks bees)	100% Preferred
Durability	High	High	Moderate
Extraction Speed	Excellent	Excellent	Risk of breakage
Primary Usage	Not Recommended	Honey Supers	Brood Chambers
Tactile Guide	None	Provided by wax layer	Natural texture

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