Hi Ernie/All
 
In South Africa we have a problem with theft of combs (quite a big
one). Hence I actually use fencing wire (0.5 - 0.7mm) wire as it is
stronger and when thieves cut the combs out they at least dont trash
your wires, so next time you extract the extracter simultaneusly
dumbs every comb and jumps on your foot (happened to me twice).
(Somebody stole my combs and the bees built them back and I did not
know the wires were gone.)
 
As for brood frames - I don't extract them so I don't wire them. Here
we donn't use full sheets of wax on a  frame, just a strip accross
the top.( cost it out - wax costs me SAR5.00 a sheet, and sugar SAR36
for 12.5 kilograms - so it works out cheaper to buy sugar and use
less wax sheeting).
 
To make sure the combs are secured just cut corks in half and nail
them to the sides of the frames halfway down - the bees attach the
combs to the cork, securing it. Later they may attach it to the sides
depending on their feelings about sticking to the rules of bee space
that we like to think they follow.
 
Once you have had a few generations (2 years) of brood through a
frame (so that it is black) you can actually extract it without
wiring at all!!
 
Keep well
 
Garth
Garth Cambray           Camdini Apiaries
15 Park Road
Grahamstown             Apis mellifera capensis
6139
South Africa
 
Time = Honey
 
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