Black Pierco vs Reinforced Wax

John Sabat · Post by **John Sabat** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:06 pm

I had an eye opening experience this past week. I removed two frames of brood and drawn comb from one of my strongest hives. I have all black Pierco Plastic in my 5 colonies. I replaced the two removed frames with reinforced wax. That was on Saturday morning. This afternoon I looked in the hive body that I placed the reinforced was and to my surprise found both sides of each frame nearly 1/2 drawn. No more Black Pierco plastic for me. I have some black frames that I have had since April and still no drawn comb. Has anyone else out there experienced the same?
John

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:38 pm

I run a lot of black Peirco.
Let's face it, wax and wood is certainly more ideal than plastic. The question is, what do you want in the long run?
I like Pierco for my honey supers. I dont have to reinforce and never have a blowout when extracting.
If you are running black deep Pierco, you will have to coat it with beeswax before they will draw it.

Kurt

John Sabat · Post by **John Sabat** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:51 pm

How do I go about coating with wax? And where do I get the wax?
Thanks

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:06 am

John:

THe easiest way I have found is to simply melt some wax, take a large paintbrush and paint the frames on both sides. It does not require that you coat the wax evenly or thouroughly. I simply dip my brush and quickly "paint" the frames making an effort to get some wax everywhere.
Wax can be purchased from "Brushy mountain" or your friendly "Honeybee Harvest" upon request.

Kurt

John Sabat · Post by **John Sabat** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:28 am

Great! I will get with you when I find some time.
John