Frames and Components to Keep in Stock
A short list of spare parts and components that make apiary work easier throughout the season.
Why spare components matter
During the active season, a delay of a day or two in providing an extra frame or super can cost a missed nectar flow or trigger swarming. Keeping a minimal reserve of components allows a fast response without waiting for an order and delivery at the busiest moment.
Brood and super frames
Spare frames must match the size of the hive system used in the apiary — Langstroth, Dadant Blatt, Farrar or British Standard. It is useful to keep a stock of both brood and super frames, since the need for expansion often comes suddenly with the onset of a nectar flow.
Bottom boards and roofs
Bottom boards and roofs wear out more slowly than frames, but in case of damage or rot it is good to have spares so a colony does not have to remain temporarily without a complete structure. Flat roofs are easier to store compactly.
Queen excluders and feeders
A queen excluder is needed to confine the queen to the brood box during an active honey flow, while feeders are used for spring or autumn feeding. Both components have a relatively small volume and are convenient to keep in reserve for the whole season.
What to include in your list
- Spare brood and super frames compatible with your system
- A few sets of bottom boards and roofs for replacement in case of damage
- Queen excluders for the active flow season
- Feeders for spring and autumn feeding
- Wax foundation stored in a cool, dark place
Plan according to the number of hives
The quantity of spare components depends on the size of the apiary — a larger number of hives means a higher chance that at least one element will need replacement at some point in the season. It is better to have a small surplus than to interrupt the workflow.
Order the components you need
We offer frames, bottom boards, roofs and other components compatible with Langstroth, Dadant Blatt, Farrar, British Standard and nucleus systems. Browse our components catalogue and specify the quantities you need in your quote request.