I hope you’re all well. I wasn’t able to lift quite a few of my frames as the top bar kept sliding out - it’s like the glue / nail not helping? Sorry if I’m not describing it properly, I probably should have taken a photo as I was trying to lift the frames today. But here’s a pic of the problem area and if you can imagine the top bar sliding out when I lift it and detaching itself from the rest of the frame (the rest remains in the hive)… What’s the best way to fix this? Should I try to push it up from the bottom some how?
Hi Liyi, what I would do in this situation is remove the adjacent frame, leaving a 1 frame gap, then lever the side bar out to loosen it, before attempting to remove the frame by lifting the frame by the side bar/s. To fix the frame, you can nail some brads in from the sides after applying more glue.
I don’t like those shiny nails that get supplied with the flow hives. If the glue doesn’t hold, the nail pulls straight out.
Thanks Jeff, I think these frames were from the original nuc I purchased…I actually forgot to use those shiny nails supplied with the flow frame on this hive…but the ones falling apart have some other nail in the middle. I’ll try to lever them out by the side bars…there’s at least 5 I’ll need to fix. Should I do them 1 or 2 at a time?
You’re welcome Liyi. I just got a second thought. I have seen people use screws on frames. You could use, maybe 35-40 mil thin screws with a countersunk head. Drill a clearance hole as deep as the top bar only, which will also help to keep the screw straight. The clearance hole needs to be no larger than the diameter of the screw. That way you can do it without trying to lever the frame loose, & will be less stressful on the bees.
The clearance hole will assure that the screw only bites into the side bar, which will pull it up tight to the top bar.
As well as the nail going down look to put one in from the side, or both sides. These are less likely to be pried up through normal use of the hive tool.
Just put them above a QE, after removing any drone brood, or make an escape for them.
You might find that it’s only one frame. Some people get careless when building frames. The staple or nail goes to the side unnoticed, so therefore if the glue doesn’t hold, it falls apart with the slightest resistance.
I think I would just screw that one frame, which should hold it, & do the others if needed.
