To properly remove combs from a Warre box, start by flipping the entire box over so the top bars face down and the combs face upward. Use a long knife or hive tool to sever the natural comb attachments from the interior sides of the box, allowing you to either lift out movable bars or cut the comb away from fixed bars.
The key to efficient Warre processing is handling the box in an inverted position to access the comb structure. Regardless of your bar style, you must leave a small strip of wax on the top bar to guide the colony's future construction.
Executing the Removal Process
Positioning the Hive Body
Begin by inverting the Warre box. Place it on a stable surface so the bars are facing down and the combs are exposed facing up.
This orientation provides the best angle to assess the comb structure and access the points where the bees have attached the wax to the wood.
Severing Side Attachments
Bees naturally attach their combs to the inner walls of the box for stability. Before you can remove the main comb, these attachments must be severed.
Run a knife or hive tool along the interior sides of the box. Cut through the wax connections cleanly to free the comb from the walls.
Handling Movable Bars
If your hive uses bars that are not nailed down, the removal process is straightforward once the sides are cut.
Simply lift the bars out of the box with the combs still attached. This allows for processing outside of the box structure.
Handling Fixed (Nailed) Bars
If your top bars are nailed in place, you cannot remove the bar itself. You must cut the comb out while the framework remains in the box.
Cut the combs away from the bars from the underside or reach through the gaps between the bars to slice the comb free.
Preparing for Colony Regrowth
The Importance of the Guide Strip
When cutting the comb away from the bar, do not scrape the wood entirely clean.
It is vital to leave a small piece of comb remaining on the bar. This strip should measure approximately 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.
Why This Matters
This residual strip acts as a structural guide for the bees.
When the colony moves back into this box next season, they will use this remaining wax as a foundation to build new comb straight and true, rather than building erratic cross-combs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Over-Cleaning the Bars
A common mistake during processing is removing every trace of wax from the top bars to make them look "clean."
Doing this removes the navigational aid for the bees. Without the 1/4 to 1/2 inch guide strip, the colony may build comb across several bars (cross-combing), making future inspections and harvesting significantly more difficult.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure you balance a successful harvest with the future health of your hive, apply these principles:
- If your primary focus is Ease of Harvest: Use movable bars where possible, as severing the side attachments allows you to remove the entire comb-bar assembly intact.
- If your primary focus is Future Management: Strictly adhere to the 1/4 to 1/2 inch rule when cutting comb off the bar, ensuring the bees build straight combs next season.
Treat the harvest not just as extraction, but as the first step in preparing the hive for next year's success.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inversion | Flip box top-bar down | Best access to comb structure |
| 2. Severing | Cut side attachments | Frees comb from interior box walls |
| 3. Removal | Lift movable bars or cut from fixed bars | Extracts comb for processing |
| 4. Guide Strip | Leave 1/4" to 1/2" wax on bar | Ensures bees build straight next season |
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