Brace comb is one of several forms of unwanted comb, alongside bridge comb and cross comb, that honey bees build in areas where beekeepers do not intend comb to be constructed. As the name implies, brace comb serves as structural support for regular comb, helping prevent it from breaking away under its own weight. It is commonly attached to the sides of the hive or between comb and the hive walls.
Brace comb can develop in any hive design, but it is far more common in top bar and Warré hives. Unlike Langstroth hives, which use rectangular frames that separate the comb from the hive walls, top bar and Warré hives allow bees to build comb directly from the bars. This makes it easier for bees to attach supporting comb to the sides of the hive whenever they consider it necessary.
Finding comb in unintended locations is a normal part of beekeeping rather than an unusual occurrence. Nearly every beekeeper encounters unwanted comb at some point. The key to managing it is regular hive inspections so that any unwanted comb is detected and removed before it becomes extensive. In this article, we explain why bees build brace comb and the best ways to manage and prevent it.
Why do Bees Build Brace Comb?
Honey bees build brace comb whenever they sense that existing comb may not be securely supported. By attaching comb to the walls of the hive, they strengthen it and reduce the risk of it breaking loose. Bees are most likely to construct brace comb when the hive is unsteady, not level, or when the comb becomes too heavy to remain securely attached.
Bees are naturally prolific comb builders and can produce an entire frame of fresh comb within two to three days under favorable conditions. Constructing a small amount of brace comb requires very little effort for a strong colony. Before removing unwanted comb, it is important to determine why the bees built it in the first place. Eliminating the underlying cause is far more effective than repeatedly cutting away brace comb, which will simply be rebuilt if the original problem remains.
1. Wobbling Beehive
An unstable hive is one of the leading causes of brace comb. Poorly constructed hive equipment or a weak hive stand may allow the hive to sway whenever strong winds blow. Bees quickly detect these movements and respond by reinforcing the comb with brace comb to reduce the chance of it breaking away from the top bars or frames.
Frequent contact from livestock, wildlife, or other animals can also cause a hive to shift or vibrate. If this movement occurs regularly or continues over an extended period, the colony may respond by building brace comb to provide additional structural support for the comb.
2. Uneven Beehive
Keeping a hive level from side to side and front to back encourages bees to build straight, properly aligned comb. Even a slight tilt can cause comb to develop at an angle instead of hanging vertically. In Langstroth hives, angled comb may fail to attach correctly to the frame, reducing its strength. A severe lean may even prevent the comb from reaching the bottom bar, making it especially vulnerable to damage. To compensate, bees often reinforce the comb by building brace comb, even before the frame is completely filled.
3. Too Heavy Honeycomb
Honeycomb can become significantly heavier within a short period during periods of abundant nectar flow, especially in late spring and early summer. As bees rapidly convert nectar into honey and fill the comb, its weight increases considerably. Freshly built comb is particularly vulnerable because the wax has not yet hardened. To strengthen the structure, bees often construct brace comb along the sides or beneath the comb to help support the additional weight.
4. Aiding Communication
Brace comb may also play a role in colony communication. Honey bees rely heavily on vibrations transmitted through the comb to communicate information within the hive. The use of frames in Langstroth hives can reduce the efficiency of vibration transmission between combs. To improve communication, bees sometimes build small sections of brace comb that reconnect neighboring combs. This function is frequently overlooked by beekeepers and is often observed near the lower edges of central brood frames.
Problems Caused by Brace Comb
Brace comb can create significant challenges during hive inspections. Because it attaches frames or comb directly to the hive walls or neighboring combs, individual frames become difficult to remove without cutting the unwanted wax. Since brace comb typically contains little honey or brood, it provides minimal value to the beekeeper while making hive management more difficult. Although freshly built brace comb is relatively soft, it hardens as it ages, becoming more difficult to remove. While bees construct it for structural reasons, it often becomes unnecessary once the comb has fully matured.
Preventing Brace Comb
The practices described below greatly reduce the likelihood of brace comb developing. Even so, no preventive method is completely effective. Honey bees will sometimes build comb wherever they believe it is needed, regardless of the beekeeper’s intentions. Regular hive inspections remain essential because bees can construct unwanted comb surprisingly quickly. If brace comb is left undisturbed for even a week or two, it may spread across multiple frames and become much more difficult to remove.
1. Ensuring a Level Beehive
One of the simplest ways to reduce brace comb is to keep every hive level and firmly supported. Place hives on stable stands positioned on solid ground, and periodically check that they remain level. If a hive begins to lean, correct the problem immediately by adjusting the stand or placing suitable material beneath it. Suspended top bar hives should also be checked regularly, with the supporting wires adjusted whenever necessary to maintain a level position.
2. Ensuring Correct Spacing
Excessive space around comb often encourages bees to build brace comb. This problem is uncommon when hive components are manufactured to the correct dimensions, but improper spacing can occur because of damaged or poorly fitting equipment. Bees rarely leave open spaces larger than bee space unused, so any unnecessary gap is likely to be filled with wax.
The principle of bee space is central to modern hive design because it minimizes the construction of unwanted comb. Bees, however, do not intentionally preserve neat rows of frames or comb. If they detect both the need and the available space for additional support, they will readily construct brace comb, provided they can still move freely throughout the hive.
3. Using Langstroth Beehives
Choosing Langstroth hives is one of the most effective ways to reduce brace comb. Their movable frames securely support comb, greatly lowering the likelihood that bees will feel the need to reinforce it. The wooden sides of the frames also act as physical barriers, making it more difficult for bees to connect comb to the hive walls. As a result, brace comb occurs far less frequently in Langstroth hives than in top bar or Warré hives.
When using Langstroth equipment, always match the frame depth to the hive box in which it is installed. Boxes and frames that do not correspond leave excessive space beneath the frames, encouraging bees to build comb in the gap. This unwanted comb is typically constructed beneath the frames or on top of the frames in the box below. Although this problem is less common than other forms of irregular comb, it can still occur when incompatible equipment is used.
Langstroth frames also provide an additional method of preventing brace comb by allowing the use of foundation and reinforcing wires. These features strengthen the comb and make it less likely to sag or break, reducing the bees’ need to add structural supports. This advantage is generally unavailable in top bar and Warré hives, where comb is built naturally without framed support.
Plastic foundation provides the greatest structural support for honeycomb and is the most effective option for preventing comb failure. Wax foundation installed in wired frames offers the next highest level of support. Wax foundation used without reinforcing wires provides comparatively little additional strength, making it much less effective at reducing the likelihood of brace comb development.
Removing Brace Comb
Brace comb is usually removed using a hive tool, although a sharp knife can also be used. Carefully cut the unwanted comb away from the hive without damaging the surrounding comb. The removed wax can be processed just like any other beeswax harvested from the hive. If the brace comb contains honey, you can crush and strain it to recover the honey before rendering the remaining wax.
In some situations, it is best to postpone removing brace comb. If the comb it supports has only recently been built, allowing it to remain for about a week gives the fresh wax time to harden and strengthen. Once the comb has matured, the brace comb can usually be removed safely without risking structural damage.
There are occasions when leaving brace comb in place is the better option. This is particularly true in modified top bar hives with extra-deep comb. Removing the supporting comb too soon may cause the natural comb to detach and collapse, resulting in the loss of honey, brood, and bees, as well as wasting the colony’s time and wax resources. In severe cases, a falling comb can injure or kill the queen, forcing the colony to rear a replacement or requiring the beekeeper to introduce a new queen. Such setbacks can significantly reduce colony productivity and honey yields over the season.
In Warré Hives
The same principle applies to Warré hives. Because these hives do not use frames, comb hangs freely from the top bars and depends entirely on its attachment to remain secure. If the bees have reinforced the comb with brace comb, they have likely done so for a reason. Unless the brace comb interferes with hive management, it is often best to leave it in place until the natural comb has become sufficiently strong.
In Langstroth Hives
Brace comb can usually be removed safely from Langstroth hives. The wooden frames provide strong support for the comb, greatly reducing the need for additional reinforcement. If the frames are fitted with foundation or reinforced with wires, the comb is even less likely to break away. Provided the hive is level, stable, and free from excessive movement, unwanted brace comb can normally be cut away during routine hive inspections.
Preparing to Remove Brace Comb
Although removing brace comb is generally straightforward, proper preparation makes the job easier and safer. The process requires opening the hive, accessing the affected box, removing one or more frames, and cutting away the unwanted comb. Having the necessary equipment ready beforehand helps ensure the work proceeds smoothly and efficiently.
Protective Gear
Always wear appropriate protective clothing when working with honey bees. A full beekeeping suit, gloves, boots, and a veil help protect against stings and allow you to work confidently while removing brace comb. Good protective equipment also reduces distractions, enabling you to complete the task more efficiently.
Smoker
A bee smoker is one of the most valuable tools for calming a colony during hive inspections. Although you may not need to use smoke for a quick brace comb removal, it is advisable to have a lit smoker nearby or ready to light at short notice. Having it within easy reach allows you to respond immediately if the bees become defensive.
Clean Surface for Hive Components
Removing brace comb often requires lifting hive boxes or covers to reach the affected area. Prepare a clean, flat surface where you can temporarily place hive components as you work. This helps keep equipment free from dirt and reduces the risk of damaging boxes, covers, or frames.
Bee Brush
Bees are often clustered on the frames or directly on the brace comb that needs to be removed. A soft-bristled bee brush allows you to gently move them out of the way without causing unnecessary injury. Avoiding crushed bees is important because injured bees release alarm pheromones that can quickly make the colony defensive and make the task more difficult.
Hive Tool
A hive tool is the preferred instrument for removing brace comb. It is designed for prying apart hive components, loosening frames, and cutting through unwanted wax. If you are not comfortable using the cutting edge of a hive tool, a sharp knife can also be used to remove the comb cleanly.
Comb Container
Keep a suitable container nearby for collecting the brace comb as it is removed. A wide container makes it easier to place irregular pieces of comb inside without spilling honey or wax. A container with a secure lid is especially useful because exposed comb attracts foraging bees, increasing the time needed to complete the inspection. Covered comb also helps reduce the likelihood of attracting pests and predators, such as yellow jacket wasps, into the apiary.
Using or Disposing of Removed Brace Comb
Brace comb is made from the same beeswax as the rest of the comb in the hive and may contain honey, pollen, or even brood. After removing it, you should decide whether to reuse, process, or discard it. Because it is simply beeswax, it can be rendered and used like any other harvested wax. Beekeepers commonly melt it down for sale, use it to make candles, or incorporate it into products such as soaps, lip balms, skin creams, and other cosmetics.
During periods of rapid colony growth, especially in early spring, bees require large amounts of wax to construct new comb. At this time, some beekeepers prefer to return removed brace comb to the colony rather than processing it. Placing the comb inside the hive allows the bees to recycle the wax by chewing it down and using the material to build new comb where it is needed. This helps conserve the colony’s resources during an important stage of development.
Keep Removed Comb Away from Predators
Never leave removed brace comb lying in or around the apiary. Wax, honey, and brood all produce scents that attract a wide range of pests and predators. Ants, wasps, rodents, and—where they occur—even bears may be drawn to the discarded comb. Once attracted, these animals may discover nearby hives and begin attacking the colonies, resulting in significant damage or losses.
If you do not intend to reuse the comb or return it to the bees, dispose of it well away from the apiary. Proper disposal reduces the risk of attracting pests and helps maintain a healthier environment around your beehives.
Conclusion
Brace comb is a supporting structure that honey bees build when they believe existing comb requires additional reinforcement. It develops only when the colony perceives a risk that the comb could break away or become unstable. Along with bridge comb and cross comb, brace comb is one of the principal forms of irregular comb that beekeepers encounter. These unwanted comb structures are collectively referred to as burr comb.
Brace comb typically connects honeycomb to hive frames or the interior surfaces of the hive body. In Langstroth and Warré hives, it often attaches to the walls of the hive box, while in top bar hives it may connect comb to the sloping sides of the hive. Although it strengthens the comb from the bees’ perspective, it can make removing frames or top bars difficult and increase the likelihood of damaging comb during inspections or honey harvesting. Cutting away the brace comb before attempting to remove frames or bars makes hive management considerably easier.
Fortunately, preventing brace comb is relatively simple. Maintaining a level, stable hive, preserving proper bee space, and using correctly sized hive equipment greatly reduce the chances of bees constructing unwanted support comb. These preventive measures are inexpensive and should form part of every beekeeper’s routine hive management. Brace comb can appear in any colony, including newly established ones, but both beginner and experienced beekeepers can successfully prevent or remove it. By following the recommendations outlined in this article, you can keep your hives well organized and free from excessive unwanted comb.