I have found that putting a unwaxed frame in the middle of the brood nest helps prevent swarming.  The key is that there should be sealed brood on both sides of the unwaxed frame, then the bees are forced to draw it out.  Under these circumstances, there will be many bees and if they are looking to swarm, there is probably a good honeyflow as well.  Also, I have found that bees will draw out 9 frames just as well as ten unwaxed frames when mine are on a good honeyflow.  I just recently put several boxes out and they have almost drawn out all nine in the 7 mediums that I put out about a week ago.  As far as what frames are best, for convenience there is no doubt that the plastic rules the coop.  They are more durable, and when the comb goes bad all you have to do is scrape it off and put it back in.  If your in beekeeping more as a hobby and want to fool around with all the wiring and extra work, knock yourself out, and if it makes you happy and that much more interested in
 beekeeping, good.

Josh Jaros




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