Plastic frame 2/3 Langstroth - 159 mm without foundation

Plastic Langstroth 2/3 (159) Foundationless Frames – Green, 5.1 mm Cell Size

All-plastic frames for the Langstroth 2/3 frame size with a height of 159 mm offer a practical solution for beekeepers who want to reduce the time spent preparing frames. There is no need for nailing wooden parts, wiring, or inserting and embedding beeswax foundation sheets.

The frames are sourced from a Czech supplier and are designed for foundationless comb building. Hollow Hoffmann-type side bars help maintain proper bee space between frames, eliminating the need for separate frame spacers. Their design also reduces the formation of thermal bridges within the hive.

Time Savings in the Apiary

Plastic frames significantly simplify the preparation of hive equipment. There is no need to purchase individual wooden components, assemble frames, wire them, or regularly fit new foundation sheets. Thanks to their long service life, they can be reused repeatedly, and old comb can be easily renewed.

When cutting out old comb, you also obtain your own beeswax, which can be further processed or used according to your operation's needs. The non-absorbent plastic surface facilitates cleaning and disinfection. However, when sanitizing frames, it is always necessary to follow recommended procedures and current veterinary regulations, especially when a colony disease is suspected.

Durable Food-Grade Material

The frame is made from green polypropylene certified for contact with food. The material used is safe for bees and for the harvested honey and withstands temperatures up to 100 °C.

At higher temperatures, polypropylene may soften and become permanently deformed. Therefore, do not place the frames in solar wax melters, where temperatures can rise uncontrollably beyond the safe limit. An ordinary scraper is usually sufficient to remove old comb. When cleaning or disinfecting in a wax boiler, the temperature must be carefully monitored.

Preparing the Frame Before First Use in the Hive

Before first use, we recommend coating the plastic base with beeswax heated to approximately 70 to 85 °C. The wax coating promotes acceptance of the frame by the bees and facilitates the start of comb building.

Wax can be applied in several ways:

• by dipping, which is fast but uses more wax,
• with a nylon roller,
• with a flat brush, which allows for economical and precise application.

It is not necessary to fill the bottoms of individual cells with wax. Simply lightly coat the cell edges and the frame margins. Bees will readily accept a plastic base prepared in this way and build continuous comb on it.

Easy Comb Renewal

For comb renewal, simply scrape off the old comb with a scraper. The frame can then be returned to the hive, where the bees will remove wax residues, reshape the cell bottoms, and build new comb. During routine repeated renewals, it is generally not necessary to re-wax the frame.

Shipping and Proper Storage

Due to the properties of polypropylene, the frame may slightly bend or warp during shipping or improper long-term storage. Such a change usually does not constitute a manufacturing defect. Place the frame on a flat surface and allow approximately 2 to 3 hours for it to straighten out. The time required to return to its original shape depends on the ambient temperature.

To maintain proper shape, we recommend storing the frames either freely suspended or stacked crosswise on top of one another.

Technical Specifications