Rotating and Culling Old Frames

Culling old frames is a common and important practice in beekeeping. Over time, frames can become very dark and worn, absorbing debris, chemicals, and other residues that can negatively impact hive health. To maintain a healthy colony, it’s recommended to replace frames every five to ten years.

Rather than replacing all frames at once, a rotation system works best. Each year, remove a couple of the oldest frames and replace them with new foundation. Late fall and winter is an ideal time to start doing this, as long as the frames are empty of honey and brood.

How to Rotate Frames:

1.      Identify the Oldest Frames: When inspecting your hive, look for dark, worn frames. Old comb may be brown, but not all dark comb is bad. Focus on frames where the wax is worn off, the wood is visibly aged, and there are noticeable blemishes or flaws.

2.      Move Frames Gradually: If an old frame is full of honey, don’t remove it immediately. Instead, slowly move it toward the outside of the hive over several inspections. This keeps the brood nest intact while gradually emptying the frame of resources.

3.      Wait Until Frames Are Empty: By late winter, the bees will have consumed most of the honey in the old frames. At that point, you can remove and replace them without harming the colony. If any honey remains in spring, you can allow the bees to rob it out before discarding the frame.

4.      Inserting New Frames: New foundation should generally be placed on the outer edges of the hive or one frame in from the edge. Important Note: Avoid placing new frames directly in the center of the brood nest. Doing so can disrupt the colony’s organization, potentially leading to poorly fed brood or even abandoned areas in the hive.

Over time, this establishes a continuous rotation process, where new frames gradually replace older ones, preventing the buildup of residues in the comb, supporting colony health, and maintaining a strong, productive hive year after year.