Alternatively, use supers without foundations. A week or two ago I
removed a super from one of my 'let alone' hives 2 counties away. It had one comb
placed centrally, the remainder were top bars with just a bead of wax drawn
with a soldering iron. Nearly all the comb was built as desired with
cross-over only at one end. As the bars were at right angles to the frames in
the brood chamber (no QE) the bees didn't join them up.
Honey in the comb is sought-after and sells for about twice the price of
extracted honey; the packaging is cheaper, you need have no fears about
chemical residues in the wax and you don't have to get your extractor sticky!
When the super goes back on the bars will have a 'footprint' of the cells
to encourage them to build in the desired direction and I probably won't
then bother with the central comb.
About the only time I use a full sheet of foundation is when doing a Bailey
comb change. Then I use starter strips on the remainder of the frames.
Chris
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