Drawn Comb

The Energy Investment

Building comb is one of the most resource-intensive activities in the hive. Worker bees between 12 and 18 days old produce tiny flakes of beeswax from glands on their abdomens, then chew and shape those flakes into hexagonal cells. The energy cost is staggering: bees consume approximately 6 to 7 pounds of honey to produce a single pound of beeswax. A fully drawn deep frame requires roughly 1 to 1.5 pounds of wax.

This means every frame of drawn comb represents a substantial investment of the colony's energy and stored food. When a beekeeper extracts honey using a centrifugal extractor, the drawn comb is returned to the hive intact. The bees can immediately refill those cells with new nectar, skipping the weeks of comb construction that would otherwise be needed. Reusing drawn comb is the primary reason extracted honey yields are higher than cut-comb honey production.

Protecting the Asset

Drawn comb must be stored properly when not in use. Wax moths are the primary threat to stored comb, with larvae tunneling through the wax and destroying cells. Freezing frames for 48 hours kills all moth life stages. After freezing, storing frames in sealed containers or bags prevents re-infestation. Some beekeepers store frames in stacked supers with paradichlorobenzene moth crystals, though this chemical approach is falling out of favor.

Dark Comb and Rotation

Comb used for brood rearing gradually darkens as layers of cocoon silk from emerging bees accumulate in the cells. Over time, this darkening thickens cell walls and reduces cell volume. Experienced beekeepers rotate old, dark brood comb out of the hive every 3 to 5 years, replacing it with new foundation. Honey super comb, which is not used for brood, stays light-colored indefinitely and can be reused much longer.