Instead of building honeycomb in long rectangular frames, honey bees can be encouraged to build comb in small sections. These small sections are usually square or round. In the photo below the square sections are about 4 inches on a side and the rounds are 4 inches across, so the area of the squares is about 16 square inches and the area of the rounds is about 12.5 square inches.
Both square and round sections are put in frames that have the same orientation as a regular frame. In other words, the frames are parallel to each other and run along the length of the super. The frames for each type hold four sections. As you can see in the photos below the wooden frames hold four square sections and the plastic frames hold four round sections. The geometry is similar to a regular frame that holds foundation.
Section supers
These frames fit into specially designed supers called “section supers”—basically these are just supers sized to hold sections. As you can see in the photo below, a section super designed for squares can hold seven frames of four sections—28 altogether. A section super designed for rounds can hold eight rows of four sections—32 altogether.
There is extra space in both types of section super because the dimensions of a Langstroth hive are a little bigger than the size of the frames allow, but not big enough to hold another whole frame. This extra space is taken up with a follower board and springs. The board and springs keep the sections tight within the box. They also maintain “bee space” between the frames, keeping propolis and burr comb to a minimum.
Rusty
Honey Bee Suite
Rusty, *why* would you use a section super? Is there a specific purpose for it?
Chris,
Price. I’ve seen 12-oz square sections go for $27. I’ve seen rounds go for $15. Multiply $15 x 32 and get $480/super. These are gourmet shop prices, but people are willing to pay a huge premium for honey that is not processed in any way. You just take the sections out of the super and drop them in a box. It’s one of the few foods people can buy that is virtually untouched by other humans. Plus, non-beekeepers are fascinated by the whole idea of honey in the comb. Sections are ridiculously easy to sell.
That… is pretty cool. So “pre-packaged”. I like it.
So in preparation, do you need to have little squares/circles of foundation?
Nick,
You can’t see it in the picture, but the sections are split down the middle. You use one long, continuous piece of foundation for the entire frame of four. After the sections are finished, you just trim away any excess foundation with a knife. I plan to show how this works in a future post.
Do you have a preference for one style over the other, and is one more economical?
Toby,
For various reasons I prefer the wooden sections. I am planning to do a in-depth series on comb honey very soon, but for now I’ll just say that I try to keep plastic out of my hives and all the plastic parts of the Ross Round system turns me off to it.
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Thanks for posting this explanation, and yes, the pictures made all the difference.
So basically “sections” are used for creating comb honey that’s easily sold. But how is it sold? Do you sell the wood along with the comb in it, or do you carve out the comb (sounds like the former). If it’s with the wood, that means replacing the wood after the harvest, and I’d guess that where part of the expense comes from.
Thanks,
Dave
Yes, you just drop the wooden sections in a cardboard box—or the round sections in a plastic box—and sell it. You never touch the honeycomb in any way, which is way people like it so much.
As I’m planning on giving away some comb honey this fall, I’d like to give these section supers a try (your post on using dental floss instead of a knife on regular frames was brilliant). I’ve done 5 min of Googling, and I can’t seem to find a wooden (non-plastic) supplier. Rather than build them myself, do you have a reference for a company in the States?
Thanks,
Dave
The Walter T. Kelley Co at kelleybees.com.
Hi, Rusty,
Don’t the bees build bridge comb in the corners next to the round sections?
Do you have a specific post on plastic vs wax foundation? I have to demonstrate wiring frames for wax at our club in April. Our senior beekeeper is always preaching plastic, and we have half a dozen beginners who are undecided so it should be lively 😉 Thanks!
Nan
Nan,
Any bridge comb is easy to scrape off with a knife.
You know, I’ve been going to write about plastic for a long time; it’s the major reason I don’t like Ross Rounds. In any case, this quote is from my post called “Extracted honey vs comb honey“:
I’m interested in building a section super, but I’m having trouble finding any real information. Any help would be most appreciated. My grandfather kept bees long before I was born and according to my dad he used a section super. I would like to give it a go. Thank you
Michael,
Last year a friend built a section super with sections for me. I tested it last spring and it worked! I’m preparing to post about, with photos, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
Hi Rusty,
As a new beekeeper here in the Pacific Northwest, (Vancouver Island), I just wanted to say “Thank you” for all your detailed blogs and for sharing your wisdom and experiences. It really has helped guide me along in this fascinating hobby. I’m happily retired and enjoy sharing bee stories and their honey. Each of your blogs are most interesting and very much appreciated. Thank you again!! ????
Greg
Thanks, Greg.