How I use Fishing Line in my Brood Frames

I do not use foundation in my frames. You do not know what chemicals have been used in the the hives that the wax from the package stores sells so i just let the bees draw out the frames themselves. Yes it uses honey but I will take the trade off for 1. HEALTHIER bees because wax production is a natural part of each Honey Bees life. 2 Queens sometimes will not lay on the wire strips. 3 Its so much easier to cut out queen cells with fishing line because it never fails you have to go get wire cutters when they draw cells.
It depends on the time of spring or if its summer which one of the 3 I put in the hive.

[@woodchucktinman9893]

We are making 100 frames right now. This video is absolutely perfect timing. Thank you sir!

[@WoolieBsApiary]

i ripped through a hundred 2 days ago taking down swarm traps refilling them and adding boxes to the swarms. thanks for watching

[@noahriding5780]

I've been doing the fishing line going up and down instead of horizontal. If I do it this way, it works better with homemade boxes. With homemade boxes, the fishing ties at the ends of the frames get caught or stuck sometimes trying to get the frames in and out. If it weren't for this I'd do them your way. I don't have precise enough saws to get the frame edges to always fit right. Sometimes I'll tie the fishing line in a V also. The V shape especially works good because its a natural setup to already be ready if I have to transplant stray comb into a frame to hold it in; it'll already be ready and then I won't have to get rubber bands. (V shape with line on both sides of the frame. Then when you have stray comb you need to put in a frame its set to already be ready to hold it in.) But your way is probably most efficient for bees. If I didn't have homemade boxes your way would be best every time. I like how you do things and your one of the best teachers.

[@WoolieBsApiary]

Thanks I would like to see a picture of your frame with the V. If your on Facebook look up wooliebsapiary and honey bee farm and message me the picture

[@noahriding5780]

OK. I'll see what I can do. It may take me a couple of days to get a camera found that I can use, but I'll be happy to try to give back. Thanks.

[@markwelsch940]

Could you post some pictures of what your foundation less comb looks like? How good are the bees at putting the plastic fishing line right in the center of the wax honeycomb?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

The main thing when using foundationless frames is level side and a slight tilt forward. Wish I could post polictures here. I'll post some to my Facebook page under the same name.

[@mrcshoneybees]

Joe May had a great tip when assembling the frame, Turn the bottom rail upside down and dirt won't gather in the grove. what's your preferred pattern? double X or straight side to side? Great video. Thanks for making it.

[@WoolieBsApiary]

this video was made in the winter ie the long sleeve hoodie. i have since started buying my frames from www.westernbeestore.com/ and you can order them with a solid bottom bar. I use the side to side in late spring and summer because they are more prone to leaving the last 1/2 inch undrawn. the 3rd way in the video actually has 4 x's and works great just uses more fishing line.

[@gregcavender7798]

@@WoolieBsApiary Been looking for solid bottom bars. Don't use the slot for anything and seem like a good place for bad things to hide.

[@bradgoliphant]

Very helpful. Question for you Woolie. I see a lot of people using wire, yet queen won't lay eggs over wire. And I've hear some say the chemicals in plastic fish line will leak into the wax. What are your thoughts?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

I had rather use the fishing line than a complete sheet of plastic foundation or wires foundation with no telling what in it because most beekeepers do not care what they put into their hives. Mine gets enough just foraging without me adding more. I have no idea on the leaching out its possible.

[@bradgoliphant]

@@WoolieBsApiary I completely agree with everything you said. I was just asking about either using fish line or wire to support natural comb. But I'll go with the Fishing Line. You have been a great help Woolie. Thanks

[@jhulin9018]

If you had to pick that would work in all situations (early spring, late spring, summer) and you were not worried about time or amount of line used, which method would you choose: (1) The side-to-side, (2) the 2-Xs or (3) the 4-Xs?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

as long as its post swarm time i like the 2 x or the side to side. they 4x s is more work.

[@jhulin9018]

@@WoolieBsApiary So what is the problem using the side-to-side during swarm time?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

@@jhulin9018 if the hive has swarmed nothing but if they are thinking about it they will draw it all in drone brood. ive heard if you put it directly above the brood chamber using a queen excluder they will draw all worker. ive never tried it.

[@davemaloneyvideos]

Thanks for this. But you do not use those little brass grommets in the holes? Are those only need for wire?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

No I do not use the grommets they are for wire. They could be used but I'm a beekeeper on the cheap

[@ccookou812]

What is the difference in time of year versus the pattern? Also do you use this setup for all your frames. It’s a big money savings not using foundation

[@WoolieBsApiary]

i use the fishing line in the brood chamber only i use plastic foundation in the medium honey supers. i like the x closer to the bottom of the frame later in the spring due to what i said in the video that they may not draw the comb all the way down to the bottom bar.

[@cricketscorner6514]

Didn't hear if you said what test line do you use we've been having issues with them chewing up the line any suggestions we tried waxing the line.

[@WoolieBsApiary]

i use 30 lb Bryant Davis in Pope Mississippi at Bee Blessed Farms uses 50 lb. thanks for watching

[@privatebubba8876]

@@WoolieBsApiary I use 30lb test also and have had no problems with my bees chewing the line. I also paint my fishing line with melted wax.

[@bradgoliphant]

Hello, do you find a difference in wiring frames from top to bottom vs side to side? I'm hearing that queen won't laying over wire when it is side to side vs top to bottom?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

im using fishing line and they do not have any problems laying on it. wire is a different the queen tends sometimes to not want to lay on it

[@bradgoliphant]

@@WoolieBsApiary why do we reinforce comb anyway with wire or fishing line-? Is it only for extraction purposes?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

@@bradgoliphant i do it as a guide in the brood chamber and yes for extraction in the supers. also if you put the frame in and the nectar flow stops they do not finish the comb so you have some support for when you do an inspection. those will be the first frames that i pull out when getting the colony ready for winter and when spring temps warm up and the flow is on they go back into the hives and the bees finish them.

[@HigimuraStudios]

What gauge of fishing line do you use?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

Started with 8 went to 20 they still chewed through it. I now use the cheap 30 lb and they rarely chew through it

[@kylestokes9075]

Do you put any wax on the frames?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

yes on the cleat bar thats is turned down

[@davidcarpenter542]

Do you have any Buckfast Queens for sale now ?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

If your on Facebook find WoolieBsApiary for inquiries but not till 2nd week in June unless someone backs out

[@rickmartin9823]

How do you embed your foundation?

[@WoolieBsApiary]

I donot use foundation these go in the boxes just like they are.

[@pan60]

my bees just chew fishing line up

[@WoolieBsApiary]

I've went to 30 lbs and its stopped.

[@privatebubba8876]

I use 30lb test also and have had no problems with my bees chewing the line. I also paint my fishing line with melted wax.

[@pan60]

@@WoolieBsApiary thanks! i will try that

[@pan60]

@@privatebubba8876 thanks! i will try thatwax painting as well