Honey, I Shrunk the Super: Why 9-frame Frames Could Boost Your Yield
One of the common questions that beekeepers face is: “Should I use 9 or 10 frames in honey super?”. In this blog post, I will explain why using 9 frames instead of 10 can increase your honey yield and make your extraction process easier.
The main reason to use 9 frames instead of 10 in your honey supers is to encourage your bees to draw out the comb deeper and fill it with more honey. This way, you can get more honey per frame and per box and reduce the number of boxes and frames that you need to handle and extract. Faster filling equates to less manipulation, reducing stress on the colony and potentially increasing honey quality. Less brood interruption also encourages queen egg-laying, boosting colony growth.
Using 9 frames instead of 10 also has some other benefits, such as:
- can increase the honey yield per frame and per box, as the bees will draw out the comb deeper and fill it with more honey. A deep frame full of honey can weigh around 3.5-4 kg, while a medium or shallow frame can weigh around 2-2.5 kg.
- can also make the extraction process easier, as the comb will protrude past the frame and make it easier to cut off the wax cappings.
- can also reduce the risk of rolling or damaging the queen, as the frames will be spaced wider and easier to remove and replace.
- more ventilation: When the frames spaced wider, there is more air circulation in the hive, which can help to prevent moisture and mold problems.
How to use 9 frames in your honey supers?
To use 9 frames in your honey supers, you need to have drawn comb first. You cannot use foundation, as the bees will not draw it out evenly and will create gaps and bridges between the frames.
The best way is to start with 10 frames until they are fully drawn and capped, and then extract those frames and put them back on as 9 frames. This way, you can ensure that the comb is well-formed, and the bees will fill it up again with more honey.
You can also use 9 frames from the start if you have enough drawn comb, but you need to monitor the hive closely and make sure that the bees are filling up the frames evenly and not leaving any empty spaces.
How to use 9 frames in New Zealand?
Using 9 frames in your honey supers can be beneficial in any climate, but it can be especially helpful in New Zealand, where the honey flow can be unpredictable and variable. Adjust your frame spacing according to the season and the climate. In spring and summer, when the honey flow is strong and the weather is warm, you can use 9 frames in your honey supers to maximize your honey yield. In autumn and winter, when the honey flow is weak and the weather is cold, you may want to switch back to 10 frames in your honey supers to leave more honey for the bees to survive.
Some tips for using 9 frames in New Zealand are:
- in your honey supers only, not in your brood boxes. The brood boxes need to have 10 frames to provide enough space and insulation for the queen and the brood.
- in medium or shallow honey supers, not in deep honey supers. Deep honey supers can be too heavy and cumbersome to handle and extract when they are filled with 9 frames of honey.
- in spring and summer, not in autumn and winter. In autumn and winter, the bees need more honey stores to survive the cold and wet weather, so you should leave them with 10 frames of honey in their supers.
Using 9 frames instead of 10 in your honey supers can be a simple and effective way to increase your honey yield and make your extraction process easier. However, you need to have drawn comb, use 9-frame spacers, and monitor your hive carefully to ensure that the bees are filling up the frames properly. By following these tips, you can enjoy the sweet rewards of your beekeeping hobby. 🐝