Betterbee • 8 Meader Rd, Greenwich, NY 12834 • (800) 632-3379 • betterbee.com
BetterComb
™
Frame Assembly Instructions
Version 1.2 • Updated September 26, 2019
BetterComb is a completely drawn comb made of food-grade, virgin, synthetic wax, similar in
composition to beeswax. When installed into the included wooden frame, it is ready for the bees to
use right away.
These instructions start from assembled wooden frames. If you are starting with unassembled
wooden frames, you will first need to assemble the frames
using Betterbee’s frame assembly
instructions
. The combs are sized for Betterbee frames, which are produced by Humble Abodes. The
combs can be cut with a sharp knife to fit smaller frames.
Wired vs. unwired frames: which to use?
There are two ways to install BetterComb into frames: pinning with toothpicks into unwired frames,
and melting into wired frames. Pinning with toothpicks is quick and easy, and works well for brood
chamber use. Pinning the combs does
not
work well in very hot climates, or for use with in honey
supers. The combs tend to droop or buckle due to the weight of nectar or softening of the wax in
intense heat. Wiring is recommended for these applications. Wired frames can be extracted in
tangential or radial extractors just as any other frames are extracted. Wiring supplies are available at
Betterbee.
Tools and parts required:
Installation shim: 7-3/4” x 16-3/4” x ¼” piece of cardboard or wood (included in complete kit or
available as part number
BCOMBINSTALLBOARD
)
Hive tool (optional)
Round toothpicks for pinning comb (included in kit or part number TPICK) or frame wire (BW)
and eyelets (EYELETS)
Wooden grooved-top frames with holes drilled in top/bottom (ADFGGBC or AMFGGBC) or
frames wired with 4 wires (ADFWBC or AMFWBC)
BetterComb comb pieces (BCOMB)
For wiring only: 12V power supply such as battery charger or car battery
