Hi Waldemar

 > can trapezoidal frames be used?

Yes, they have been used at odd times over a couple of centuries, but
the only modern use is in Kirchhain nucleus hives.
http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/kirchhainframe.html
http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/kirchhain.html
(I will chase up the missing drawing later today)

 > has anyone tried lettting the bees produce their combs
 > from scratch (no foundation) in empty Langstroth frames

I have done this with British frames, however there would have been
traces of wax or maybe the smell of it. I understand this has been done
in British Columbia in Langstroth frames by Grizzly Bearnolds who
currently does not subscribe to this list.

As far as I can tell it does not influence what the bees do in attaching
the comb to the frames, but if you give them a box full of empty frames
they are just as likely to build crosswise or diagonal in the space
rather than in the frame.


Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman or http://www.dave-cushman.net
Short FallBack M/c, Build 6.02/3.1 (stable)

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