Betterbee BetterComb Frame

To Next Page

Betterbee • 8 Meader Rd, Greenwich, NY 12834 • (800) 632-3379 • betterbee.com

BetterComb

™

Frame Assembly Instructions

Version 1.2 • Updated September 26, 2019

BetterComb is a completely drawn comb made of food-grade, virgin, synthetic wax, similar in

composition to beeswax. When installed into the included wooden frame, it is ready for the bees to

use right away.

These instructions start from assembled wooden frames. If you are starting with unassembled

wooden frames, you will first need to assemble the frames using Betterbee’s frame assembly

instructions. The combs are sized for Betterbee frames, which are produced by Humble Abodes. The

combs can be cut with a sharp knife to fit smaller frames.

Wired vs. unwired frames: which to use?

There are two ways to install BetterComb into frames: pinning with toothpicks into unwired frames,

and melting into wired frames. Pinning with toothpicks is quick and easy, and works well for brood

chamber use. Pinning the combs does not work well in very hot climates, or for use with in honey

supers. The combs tend to droop or buckle due to the weight of nectar or softening of the wax in

intense heat. Wiring is recommended for these applications. Wired frames can be extracted in

tangential or radial extractors just as any other frames are extracted. Wiring supplies are available at

Betterbee.

Tools and parts required:

 Installation shim: 7-3/4” x 16-3/4” x ¼” piece of cardboard or wood (included in complete kit or

available as part number BCOMBINSTALLBOARD)

 Hive tool (optional)

 Round toothpicks for pinning comb (included in kit or part number TPICK) or frame wire (BW)

and eyelets (EYELETS)

 Wooden grooved-top frames with holes drilled in top/bottom (ADFGGBC or AMFGGBC) or

frames wired with 4 wires (ADFWBC or AMFWBC)

 BetterComb comb pieces (BCOMB)

 For wiring only: 12V power supply such as battery charger or car battery

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Betterbee BetterComb Frame and is the answer not in the manual?

Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications
Usage Features
Method 1: Unwired Frames Pinned with Toothpicks
Method 2: Wired Frames
General Recommendations
Maintenance Features

BetterComb is a synthetic, food-grade, virgin wax comb designed to be installed into wooden frames for beekeeping. It mimics natural comb in composition and structure, providing a ready-to-use foundation for bees.

Function Description:

BetterComb serves as a pre-drawn comb foundation, allowing bees to immediately utilize the cells for brood rearing, nectar storage, or honey production without the need to draw out new comb from scratch. This can accelerate hive development and honey production. The comb is designed to be integrated into standard wooden frames, either through a pinning method for unwired frames or by melting onto wires in wired frames.

Important Technical Specifications:

Material: Food-grade, virgin, synthetic wax.
Compatibility: Sized for Betterbee frames, which are produced by Humble Abodes. Can be cut with a sharp knife to fit smaller frames.
Orientation: Cells are sloped "uphill" towards the top bar, mimicking natural comb orientation. One side of the comb is slightly narrower to aid in installation, with the wider side placed down.
Installation Shim: A 7-3/4” x 16-3/4" x ¼” piece of cardboard or wood (part number BCOMBINSTALLBOARD) is used to facilitate installation.
Pinning Method (Unwired Frames): Utilizes round toothpicks (part number TPICK) inserted into pre-drilled holes in the side, top, and bottom bars of wooden frames.
Wiring Method (Wired Frames): Requires quality steel frame wire (26-28 gauge) and eyelets (EYELETS). Deep frames typically use 4 wires, while medium or shallow frames use 2 wires. A 12-volt power supply (e.g., battery charger, car battery) is needed to heat and embed the wires into the wax.
Frame Compatibility: Designed for wooden grooved-top frames with holes drilled in top/bottom (ADFGGBC or AMFGGBC) or frames wired with 4 wires (ADFWBC or AMFWBC).
Comb Pieces: Available as BetterComb comb pieces (BCOMB).

Usage Features:

Method 1: Unwired Frames Pinned with Toothpicks

Orientation Determination: Users must identify the "uphill" slope of the cells and the wider side of the comb for correct installation.
Centering: The comb is centered on the installation shim with the top facing the installer.
Frame Placement: An assembled frame is carefully placed over the comb, ensuring alignment and centering, with cells sloping uphill towards the top bar.
Pressing: The frame is pressed firmly and evenly over the comb until the wider portions of the side bars are flat on the table.
Fine-Tuning: The comb's position is manually adjusted to be centered within the frame.
Toothpick Insertion: Toothpicks are inserted halfway into each side bar hole to pin the comb. The protruding half is broken off, and the broken piece is used for the next hole. This process is repeated for all holes on the top and bottom bars, with top bar toothpicks inserted 2/3 of the way and the shorter piece used for the bottom bar.
Suitability: This method is quick and easy, suitable for brood chamber use.
Limitations: Not recommended for very hot climates or honey supers, as combs may droop or buckle due to heat or weight of nectar. Not suitable for extraction except at very low speeds in tangential extractors.

Method 2: Wired Frames

Frame Assembly and Wiring: Frames must be assembled and wired using preferred methods (nails, staples) with 26-28 gauge steel wire and eyelets. Wires need to be anchored firmly with a wedge nail at each end, creating an "open circuit" that can be electrified.
Wire Routing: Deep frames require 4 wires, while medium or shallow frames require 2 wires. The ends of the wires must be positioned for electrification by a 12-volt power source.
Comb Preparation: The comb's orientation is determined, and it is placed on the installation shim. The wired frame is then placed on top, ensuring wires rest on the comb and cell orientation is correct.
Wire Embedding: The frame is brought into contact with a 12-volt power source, heating the wires. The frame is pressed down until all wires melt into the center wax core of the comb. After embedding, the frame is slid away from the power source, and wires are allowed to cool for 2-3 seconds.
Suitability: Recommended for hot climates and honey supers to prevent drooping or buckling.
Extraction: Wired frames can be extracted in tangential or radial extractors like any other frames.
Video Resources: Betterbee provides instructional videos for both wireless and wired installation methods.

General Recommendations:

Storage: Assembled BetterComb frames should be carefully placed into a deep hive body for storage until ready for use in a hive.
Damage Repair: Any cells damaged during installation will be repaired by the bees once the frame is installed in the hive.
Mixing Frames: BetterComb frames can be mixed with other types of frames (drawn or undrawn).
Placement Strategy: To maximize comb use, avoid "checkerboarding" frames. Instead, place BetterComb frames in a group off to one side, on the outside, or in the center of the hive. Bees prefer their own drawn comb until they have used and made the BetterComb their own.
Honey Extraction: Only wired frames are recommended for honey extraction due to the inability of pinned frames to withstand the forces of extraction (except at very low speeds in tangential extractors).
Climate Considerations: Wired frames are recommended for very hot climates to prevent comb drooping.
Labeling: It is advised to label BetterComb frames, especially if building your own, as they can become difficult to distinguish from other frames over time.

Maintenance Features:

Durability: The synthetic wax comb is designed for long-term use within the hive.
Repair by Bees: Minor damage to cells during installation is naturally repaired by the bees.
Cleaning: Not explicitly detailed, but as a wax product, standard beekeeping practices for comb hygiene would apply.
Replacement: Individual BetterComb pieces can be replaced if severely damaged or worn out, by disassembling the frame and installing a new comb.