How to Install a Beehive Frame Foundation

The wax foundation is a starting point for the bees to begin making comb. The foundation will help keep the bees building in a specific area and on the frame, giving the beekeeper easier access to the honey.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Beehive Frames
• Foundation
• Eyelets
• Hammers
• Needle-nose Pliers
• 1/2-inch common nails

1. Remove the top bar wedge.
2. Place a #18 half-inch nail in one end of frame on the top, about halfway down the middle.
3. Tie off one end of the wire to the nail.
4. Thread a #28 hard-drawn, tinned, carbon-steel wire in one eyelet and out the other eyelet across the frame until you have two strands of wire across the middle of the frame.
5. Tie off the remaining wire to the nail placed in step 2.
6. Hammer the nail flush with frame.
7. Weave wax foundation over and under the wires from step 3.
8. Slide the bottom of the foundation into the slotted groove at the bottom of the frame until the top of the foundation slides into the top bar groove.
9. Nail the top bar wedge from step 1 back into place using #18 nails.
10. Secure the bottom of the frame with #18 nails. Place nails about two-thirds of the way from each end of frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean frames before placing the foundation.
• If you are putting a new frame together, use wood glue and nails for a sturdy frame.
• Check older frames for weakness. Reglue and nail weak spots.
• In cold weather, handle the foundation with care - it will be brittle.