Foundation is the starting surface given to the bees for building comb. The hexagonal pattern on it makes them build straight and in the right place.

What it gains

• The comb stays straight and within the frame; frames remain interchangeable
• The bees spend less energy on wax production
• Cell size can be controlled; the proportion of drone comb is limited
• Building is faster

It must be taut and straight

This is the most neglected detail. Foundation fitted loose or crooked leads to crooked comb.

Crooked comb ends the interchangeability of frames — that is, it destroys the entire gain of the system. Wiring and fixing are therefore not a detail but the heart of the matter.

Choosing a thickness

• Standard: For brood and supers
• Thin: For comb honey; a thick midrib is noticeable in the mouth
• Heavy-based types: More durable but give the bees extra work before they begin drawing

The residue problem — the most important issue

Fat-soluble substances accumulate in wax. Some acaricides used in hives can remain there for years.

The consequences:

• Foundation made from old comb carries residues into new colonies
• Accumulation can adversely affect brood development and queen quality
• Commercial foundation is of mixed origin; its traceability is limited

A closed wax cycle is the soundest answer: having foundation made from your own cappings wax.

Cappings wax is the cleanest and lightest-coloured source and should not be mixed with old comb.

Plastic foundation

Plastic-based types are durable and need no wiring.

Against that the bees do not always accept them readily; coating them with wax improves acceptance. They also cannot be recovered by melting.

Storage

• Store flat, cool and dark
• It softens and deforms in heat
• It becomes brittle in cold; warm it before fitting
• Keep it away from odours; wax absorbs them

When to use it

Foundation is only drawn when there is a flow and the colony is populous. Given during a dearth the bees ignore it or chew it.