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Frame Making

Wooden frames with beeswax foundation are widely used in the UK and can be bought in self-assembly form.

Frame assembly

Frame assembly step 1
Remove the wedge from the top bar. Assemble the top bar, side bars and one bottom bar. Side bars have the groove on the inside.
Frame nailing step 2
Nail as shown – 2 nails for each side bar, and nail bottom bar up through side bar when nailing Hoffman frames.
Frame nailing step 3
Bend over long wire loops of foundation. Slide foundation along grooves onto top bar.
Frame nailing step 4
Nail the wedge onto the top bar, trapping the bent wires. Nail through each loop of wire at a slight angle. Fit and nail the second bottom bar.
Frame nailing step 5
When assembling Hoffman self-spacing frames, ensure the two ‘V’ shaped edges are in the same orientation as the diagram.

Hives can also be bought in self-assembly form.

 

National brood box or super assembly diagram

Hive Assembly Instructions

  1. Insert inner wall pieces into grooves in outer wall pieces.
  2. For supers with a frame spacer saw cut, the cut should be at the top and nearest to the outside (see diagram).
  3. Push locking bars into the rebates, bevelled bar at the bottom (see cross section).
  4. Adjust the inner walls to be flush with the rebates in the locking bars (see cross section).
  5. Nail through outer walls into inner walls as shown with 50mm (2”) nails.
  6. Nail locking bars to outer walls as shown with 50mm nails.
  7. Nail locking bars from inside using 35mm (1½) nails.
  8. Check the box is square (diagonals are equal).
  9. Attach the runners using brass escutcheon pins to give correct bee space.

A water proof glue can be used on joints if desired.

 

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News & Events

Scientists sew trackers to Asian Hornets to find and destroy nests before they kill honeybees
Britain’s beekeepers are turning to technology to prevent aggressive Asian hornets destroying their colonies. In a first successful trial, experts at the University of Exeter attached tracking devices to the backs of the voracious hornets and then followed them back to their nests.
Asian hornet information
The June edition of the BBKA News has extensive information about the Asian hornet threat. In particular, pages 209 and 210 have full colour reproductions of the Asian hornet alert document issued by the Non Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) for you to cut out and use as your personal guide to identification of this invasive species.
EU agrees total ban on bee-harming pesticides
More information can be found at:          https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/apr/27/eu-agrees-total-ban-on-bee-harming-pesticides?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
LATEST ASIAN HORNET WARNING
The National Bee Unit has confirmed a sighting of a single Asian hornet in Lancashire. More information can be found in the Defra Press release:   https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-identified-in-lancashire