Replacing hive frames (how many and when)
Replacing frames is important both for hygiene reasons and because with each brood cycle the inner lumen of the cell shrinks, making it too small and less suitable for breeding new bees. It is generally recommended to replace at least 3 frames per year per hive, removing those older than 3 years, or those that are worn out or mouldy.
To optimise the replacement of frames, it is advisable to put the older ones closer to the wall of the hives on pre-winter visits. This way, at the end of winter or in spring, we will find them empty of both honey and brood and ready to be removed.
Another way to replace the frames when they are full of brood and stock is to use them for the production of artificial swarms. The new swarm should be supplied with five old frames to which wax sheets will be added as it grows.
All old frames that are removed from the hive must be replaced with wax sheets, so that there are always frames in the hive with wax that is not too old.
Warnings: May depend on the regulations in force in the given country.
Please check out the B-THENET Platform for the Best Beekeeping Practices tailored to each country, co-developed with practicing beekeepers in the National B-THENET Centres of those countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING
Ongoing | 2022-2026
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