Any beekeeper, especially a beginner, hopes to avoid finding burr comb in a beehive. Burr comb develops when the gaps between frames are larger than the proper bee space. Frames should be evenly spaced, with enough room for bees to move freely between the combs and other parts of the hive. If the spacing is either too wide or too narrow, the bees will respond by altering the space to suit their needs.
Burr comb often joins one frame to a neighboring frame or attaches a frame to the inner wall of the hive, depending on where the extra space exists. These unwanted connections make routine hive inspections more difficult because the frames cannot be removed without first breaking the comb. Separating the comb can be time-consuming and may damage brood, honey stores, or the surrounding comb if not done carefully.
What is Bee Space?
Honey bees are highly sensitive to the amount of space available inside their hive. Every section of the honeycomb serves an important purpose, providing room for raising brood, storing food, and carrying out daily colony activities. When bees encounter a gap that is wider than the ideal spacing, they usually fill the extra room by constructing additional comb. This unwanted comb is known as burr comb.
On the other hand, if the gap between hive components is too narrow, bees will fill it with propolis, a sticky resin they collect from plants to seal unwanted openings. There is, however, an ideal spacing known as bee space. Research has shown that honey bees generally leave gaps measuring about 3/8 inch (approximately 1 cm) untouched. Instead of filling or sealing these spaces, they use them as passageways that allow workers to move efficiently throughout the hive.
Reasons Why Honey Bees Build Burr Comb
Honey bees build burr comb for several reasons, most of which are related to excess space or management issues within the hive. Understanding these causes helps beekeepers prevent burr comb from developing and makes hive management much easier.
1. Beekeeper Errors
In many cases, burr comb is the result of common beekeeping mistakes rather than the bees’ natural behavior. Honey bees simply respond to the conditions they find inside the hive. Some of the most common management errors that encourage burr comb include:
- Failing to inspect the hive regularly, allowing burr comb to develop unnoticed.
- Not maintaining consistent and even spacing between the frames.
- Forgetting to replace a frame after removing it during an inspection.
2. Incorrect Frame Spacing
Improper frame spacing is one of the leading causes of burr comb. Most modern beekeepers use Langstroth hives, which are designed around the principle of bee space. The frames are intended to sit side by side with uniform gaps that guide the bees to build straight comb within the frames.
When the frames are correctly positioned, the spaces between them measure about 3/8 inch (approximately 1 cm), which bees recognize as a passageway. However, if the gaps become wider than bee space, the colony will often fill the extra room with burr comb. Excessive burr comb can make hive inspections difficult, as the frames and even the inner cover may become joined together with wax.
3. Missing or Misplaced Frames
Removing a frame without replacing it creates a large empty space inside the hive. Honey bees quickly respond by building comb in the vacant area. For this reason, every frame should be returned to its proper position after an inspection. Forgetting to do so can lead to extensive burr comb that requires considerable time and effort to remove.
Problems Caused by Burr Comb
Although burr comb is a natural response by honey bees, it creates several challenges for the beekeeper. The more it is allowed to develop, the more difficult routine hive management becomes.
1. Difficulty Accessing the Hive
Burr comb often connects the tops of the frames to the inner cover or joins neighboring frames together. Before the hive can be inspected, the beekeeper must carefully cut or separate these attachments. This extra work increases the time required for inspections and may damage comb containing brood or stored honey if not done carefully.
2. Risk of Injuring or Losing the Queen
One of the greatest concerns when removing burr comb is accidentally injuring or killing the queen. Since she may be walking on the unwanted comb, every piece should be examined carefully before it is removed. Losing the queen can seriously weaken a colony because she is the only bee responsible for laying fertilized eggs. Without a healthy queen, the colony will gradually decline unless a replacement queen is introduced.
3. Time-Consuming Repairs
Removing burr comb can significantly extend the time needed for routine hive inspections. Correcting a severe buildup may require cutting away large amounts of wax, cleaning the frames, and restoring proper spacing throughout the hive. Regular inspections help identify small amounts of burr comb before they become a much larger problem.
4. Tedious and Frustrating Work
Besides taking time, removing burr comb can be physically demanding and frustrating. Each frame must be separated carefully, excess comb scraped away with a hive tool, and the queen located to ensure she is not harmed. The removed wax should also be collected for later processing or disposal. Addressing burr comb early greatly reduces the effort required and helps keep the hive organized.
Overall, most problems associated with burr comb are preventable through good hive management. Regular inspections, proper frame spacing, and replacing every frame after an inspection are simple practices that greatly reduce the likelihood of burr comb developing.
Removing Burr Comb
Although burr comb rarely harms the bees themselves, it interferes with hive inspections and should be removed before it becomes excessive. Prompt removal restores proper bee space and makes future hive management much easier.
Steps for Removing Burr Comb
- Gather the necessary equipment, including a hive tool and appropriate protective clothing.
- Put on your bee suit and lightly smoke the hive entrance and top of the hive to calm the colony.
- Carefully remove the hive cover and inspect the tops and sides of the frames for burr comb.
- If two or more frames are joined together, gently separate them while lifting the affected frame from the hive.
- Use the hive tool to carefully scrape away the unwanted comb. Some burr comb may contain honey, pollen, brood, or larvae, but it must still be removed to restore proper spacing and maintain a manageable hive.
- After removing the burr comb, return each frame to its correct position, ensuring that the spacing between all frames is even and maintains the proper bee space.
How to Prevent Burr Comb Buildup
Regular hive inspections are the most effective way to prevent burr comb from becoming a problem. By checking colonies routinely, beekeepers can identify and remove small amounts of burr comb before they develop into larger obstructions. During each inspection, use a hive tool to scrape away any unwanted comb while ensuring that the frames remain properly spaced. Although excessive inspections can disturb the colony, examining the hive approximately every four weeks is generally sufficient for most beekeepers, especially those who are new to the craft.
Will a Larger Hive Prevent Burr Comb?
Providing a larger hive does not necessarily prevent burr comb from forming. Honey bees build burr comb in response to excess gaps within the hive rather than a lack of overall space. Even wild colonies living inside hollow trees typically make efficient use of the available cavity instead of expanding unnecessarily. Honey bees naturally maximize the use of their resources by organizing their nest within a compact area. Maintaining proper bee space is therefore far more important than increasing the overall size of the hive.
Burr Comb Containing Larvae
During hive inspections, you may occasionally find burr comb that contains developing bee brood. In many cases, these cells consist primarily of drone brood because drones are often reared in irregular sections of comb. Deciding whether to preserve or remove this brood is a matter of personal preference and management style. Allowing the brood to mature preserves the developing bees, but leaving the burr comb in place may encourage the colony to continue extending unwanted comb.
Allowing the Brood to Hatch
If you choose to preserve the developing brood, allow the bees enough time for the larvae to complete their development and emerge as adults before removing the burr comb. Some beekeepers temporarily position a foundationless or plastic frame nearby to encourage the colony to reorganize the area while limiting additional burr comb construction. Once the brood has emerged, the unwanted comb can be removed more easily without sacrificing developing bees.
Removing the Larvae Along with the Burr Comb
Some beekeepers prefer to remove burr comb immediately, even when it contains brood, to restore proper bee space and prevent additional comb from being built. If you choose this approach, the removed comb can still be put to good use in several ways:
- Larvae can be used as bait when fishing, as they are attractive to many fish species.
- In some cultures, bee larvae are considered a nutritious food and may be eaten as a delicacy.
- The wax from the removed comb can be rendered and processed into beeswax for a variety of practical uses.
Ultimately, every beekeeper must decide whether preserving the developing brood or preventing further burr comb is the higher priority. In most situations, promptly removing burr comb is the more practical choice because it restores proper hive organization and reduces future maintenance. Since burr comb often contains mostly drone brood, removing it generally has only a limited impact on the overall productivity of the colony while helping to maintain a well-managed hive.
Uses of Burr Comb
Although beekeepers generally consider burr comb to be undesirable, it can still be put to many practical uses. Burr comb contains valuable beeswax, one of the most versatile products produced by honey bees. By melting and filtering the wax, beekeepers can create a wide range of useful products. In addition to harvesting honey, many beekeepers collect beeswax for making candles, cosmetics, leather treatments, wood finishes, and numerous other household items.
1. Candles and Luminaries
One of the most popular uses of beeswax is the production of candles and luminaries. Beeswax candles burn cleanly with a bright, steady flame and generally produce less smoke than many other types of candles. They also emit a naturally pleasant honey-like aroma, which can be enhanced by adding essential oils if desired. Because beeswax has a relatively high melting point, these candles burn slowly and typically last longer than paraffin candles.
2. Preventing Rust and Corrosion
Beeswax is an excellent natural protectant for metal tools and equipment. Applying a thin coat to hand tools such as shovels, hoes, machetes, knives, and pruning tools helps protect the metal from moisture, reducing the risk of rust and extending the life of the equipment.
Beeswax can also help protect bronze and other metal objects from corrosion and tarnishing. A light coating of melted beeswax, buffed onto the surface with a soft cloth, creates a durable protective layer that limits exposure to moisture and oxygen, helping preserve the metal’s appearance.
3. Hair Care Products
Beeswax is a common ingredient in many hair care products because of its natural conditioning and styling properties. It is often used to help form and maintain dreadlocks, shape beards, and style mustaches. Many homemade hair waxes combine equal parts beeswax and coconut oil, creating a natural product that provides hold while adding softness and shine.
4. Cheese Waxing
Beeswax is also widely used for coating and preserving cheese. Once the cheese has dried completely, a layer of warm beeswax can be applied to seal the surface. This protective coating helps reduce moisture loss while preventing mold and contaminants from reaching the cheese during aging. Since beeswax does not adhere well to damp surfaces, the cheese should always be thoroughly dry before waxing.
5. Other Uses of Beeswax
The versatility of beeswax extends far beyond these applications. It is commonly used for:
- Making natural lip balms and skin care products.
- Waterproofing leather shoes, boots, and other leather goods.
- Restoring and conditioning leather to improve its appearance and durability.
- Lubricating wooden drawers, windows, and sliding surfaces to reduce sticking.
- Sealing decorative envelopes, invitations, and letters with an attractive, traditional wax seal.
Conclusion
Successful beekeeping involves preventing burr comb before it becomes a major problem. Regular hive inspections, proper frame spacing, and ensuring that every frame is returned to its correct position after an inspection will greatly reduce the likelihood of unwanted comb developing. While removing burr comb requires additional effort, the wax should not go to waste. By collecting and processing it into beeswax, beekeepers can transform an otherwise unwanted by-product into a valuable resource for a wide variety of practical and commercial uses.