Content:
Beekeepers, especially beginners, are interested in how to increase the productivity of bees and make their existence easier. The simplest method is to add beeswax to the hive. For those who are unfamiliar with foundation what it is, this article will tell you.
Voschina
Beeswax is the same beeswax that was used to make a thin, corrugated plate. The indentations are made to make it easy for the bees to build the combs. The plates are fixed on special frames and placed in the hive. So after all, what is foundation, and what is it for?
This design of the frame allows the family to produce not only a good harvest of honey, but also to remain healthy and strong individuals. At the same time, a honeycomb is a natural building material, which the insect itself builds to fill with honey.
In addition, the bees make special cells in which the following are displayed:
- uterus;
- drones;
- working insects.
Bee wax
The artificial base for the construction of the honeycomb helps the bees build their nest, and the beekeeper makes it much easier to care for the insects. Its functions include:
- enlargement of the bee nest;
- increased insect productivity;
- swarm formation in the spring.
Expanding the nest is beneficial if done right, otherwise it can be harmful to families.
How to make bees pull the foundation
Many are worried about how to get the bees to pull the foundation. In order for the bees to begin to rebuild the "sushi", experienced beekeepers have their own special secrets and tricks with which they make insects work. In this case, it is necessary to take into account all the factors that affect the detuning of cells, namely:
- breed of bees,
- family strength,
- the presence of a bribe,
- lack of a swarm state of the family,
- the weather.
Rebuilt and sown foundation
The most basic "tricks" can be called:
- The place where they put the drying. The workpiece is recommended to be placed between the finished printed frames. If a large number of new frames are being put, then they should be alternated with printed ones, and not put in a row. It is possible to place dry frames only if the bees belong to the breed of Central Russian bees, and there is an excellent bribe.
- It is important how strong the bee colony is. If there are only five or six sowing frames in the hive, then put drying on both sides of the brood frames. For strong colonies with brood of eight or more frames, drying is distributed in the center of the hive. It should be understood that a sharp expansion of the nest can greatly harm the bees. Insects can start to hurt, for this reason it is recommended to gradually substitute one frame with the base.
When the bees rebuild the foundation
In most cases, a new foundation is placed in the hive in the spring. Then dandelions and garden plants bloom. In addition, the air temperature is not yet too high, and the honeycomb does not melt from it. The colony has not yet entered the swarm state, the bees do not make drone cells. We need foundation for bees during the flowering of sunflower, where insects take a good bribe.
To ensure that there are few drone cells in the family, it is best to place a new honeycomb blank on the edge after the first printing frame.The second way to rebuild a new frame is to put it in a hive, where a young queen "reigns". Such families are very good at pulling off the honeycomb.
Bee
An important factor is the presence of a bribe and pollen. Do not think that syrup can correct the situation. If there is no bribe, then no other factors will be able to force the bees to rebuild the combs.
When caring for bee colonies, one should be careful not to miss the signs when it is necessary to substitute a new foundation. The most basic is the fact when the bee begins to pull the combs below the frames.
Why bees don't pull wax
Novice beekeepers should be aware that the release of wax by insects directly depends on how much nectar and pollen the worker bees bring to the hive. After all, nectar is processed not only by worker bees, but also by young ones. During processing, part of the nectar and pollen that is drawn in by the bee's goiter is absorbed in the insect's body. Thus, when processing nectar into honey, a kilogram of bees emits at least half a kilogram of wax, provided that they work continuously.
How to make a bee wax candle
In the old days, candles made from bee wax or wax were considered a talisman against all troubles. It was believed that by sitting by a burning candle, a person got rid of pain in his head and regained his peace of mind. In addition, the fire helped to drive away all bad thoughts. With the help of such candles, rituals and ceremonies were carried out. But the most interesting was the process of making candles.
For work they take:
- foundation leaf,
- wick,
- protective herbs,
- brush for applying herbal powder,
- wick scissors,
- foundation knife,
- ruler.
A wick made of cotton is used for the candle. Before work, three centimeters of the wick are dipped in wax. Thus, when the candle is lit, the wick will not burn, but will melt.
Herbs can be used to flavor candles. John's wort, mint or lemon balm are best suited for this purpose. They are pre-dried and ground with a coffee grinder to a powdery state. A plate of wax, which is intended for making a candle, is twisted very tightly so that there is no space between the balls. Otherwise, the candle will burn unevenly.
Making foundation
The blanks are cut according to the size of the supposed height of the candle. Then it is slightly warmed up so that it becomes more plastic and amenable to formation. The wick should be three centimeters longer than the intended height of the candle. They put it on the very edge of the foundation and press down a little.
If the candle is made with a fragrance, then the herbal powder must be evenly distributed over the entire plate. The workpiece is rolled into a very dense roll, while making sure that there is no void.
A wax candle is made as follows:
- The wax is cut into small pieces, placed in a vessel and placed in a water bath.
- The wax is melted, but not overheated.
- For the wick, a thread of many fibers that are poorly twisted is used.
- The thread is dipped in wax, thus making a wick.
- The mold is lubricated with vegetable oil, the wick is fixed with toothpicks.
- Flavors are added to the wax and poured into a mold.
- Time is maintained for the wax to harden.
- At the end of the work, the toothpicks are removed, and the product is removed from the mold.
In addition to this method, you can make a candle by dipping the wick into molten wax. In this case, after each wetting, the wax on the wick is allowed to dry completely.
Wax
Why bees spoil and gnaw the foundation
There are times when bees, instead of pulling the wax, begin to gnaw it. Many beekeepers start looking for the reasons for this phenomenon and wonder why this is happening.It turned out to be quite simple. Old, already used frames are often used for filling with new foundation. Before attaching the foundation to the frame, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the wire from the remnants of old honeycombs or clean the new wire from the surface coating with which it is processed.
What is plastic foundation
There are two types of foundation: natural and artificial. Melted beeswax is used to make natural beeswax. Artificial, or white foundation, is made of plastic and is called dadan. Moreover, the surface of such material is waxed with natural material.
This material has many advantages. First of all, it does not melt or deform. Besides, it can be used for a longer time. When installing such sheets on a frame, special skill is not required, the material can be stored much longer than natural.
Beekeeping without foundation
Modern beekeepers practice using frames without foundation. In this case, a small bulge is attached to the frame bar so that the insects begin to pull the wax on their own. It is best to leave a few cells from the old honeycombs around the perimeter of the frame. This will create a natural bee nest without the use of chemicals.
Foundation is one of the most essential items used by bees to enlarge the nest. But it must be increased gradually so as not to harm insects. In addition, bees have the ability to produce a product such as propolis.
