Bees are picky about what they build comb on. They'll happily ignore plastic foundation that hasn't been waxed, then move into a corner of the hive and build their own freestyle comb instead. The fix is simple: give them a thorough beeswax coating, and they'll treat the foundation like one of their own.

This article covers the practical side — installation, wax application, coverage estimates — plus the design choice behind Primal Bee's slightly smaller cell. Whether you're using click-in plastic foundations or traditional wired beeswax sheets, the coating matters far more than the cell size.

For checking that your foundations fit the frames, see Follower board and foundation fit.

Click-in plastic foundations snap directly into Primal Bee frames. Once seated, coat the entire surface with pure beeswax using one of two methods:

Important: Bees will reject uncoated or under-waxed plastic. A thorough wax coating on all surfaces — including edges — is essential for acceptance.

The roller method is the most efficient approach for large Primal Bee frames:

Important: Careful temperature control is essential when melting wax. There's a risk of burns, spills, or fire if done improperly.

Tip: The solid-rub method is ideal for touching up individual frames without any heating equipment.

Primal Bee frames support traditional beeswax sheets — the frames include holes and pegs along the edges specifically for wiring and waxing.

For wiring details and approach, see Foundations and wiring.

Pure beeswax is best — bees prefer it over wax blends. Avoid any wax containing additives or synthetic components.

Sourcing options:

Primal Bee nest frames (8 large frames, each approximately 3× the size of a standard Langstroth frame):

Super frames (standard medium or deep wooden frames from any supplier):

Primal Bee's plastic foundation uses a slightly smaller cell size than standard large-cell Langstroth foundation. This was an intentional design choice based on a few factors, with the honest caveat that the underlying research is mixed:

Note: Bees are highly adaptable and will naturally draw cells to their preferred dimensions regardless of the imprinted size. The beeswax coating matters far more for acceptance than cell size.

Visit the Primal Bee YouTube channel for step-by-step demonstrations of foundation installation and wax coating techniques.

Click the plastic foundation into place in the frame, then apply a coat of melted beeswax using a foam paint roller — or rub solid beeswax onto the surface. Make sure to coat all areas, including the edges. The bees need a thorough wax coating to readily accept the plastic foundation.

Yes. The frames include holes and pegs along the edges specifically to facilitate wiring and waxing. You'll need approximately 2.5 to 3 standard wax sheets to cover one Primal Bee nest frame. When wiring, take care not to over-tighten the wires so the frame stays properly aligned. See Foundations and wiring for the wiring approach.

Approximately 2.5 to 3 standard wax sheets per Primal Bee nest frame.

Yes — check the Primal Bee YouTube channel for a full step-by-step demonstration.

Pure beeswax is recommended over blended wax products. Sourcing options include small bars (around 2.5 lb for ~$20) on Amazon, 1 lb blocks from Hillco's and other suppliers, or 1 oz blocks for individual use. Smaller blocks can be easier to handle for cold rubbing or for portioning when melting.

Pure beeswax is best — bees prefer it over wax blends. Avoid any wax that contains additives or synthetic components.

Using a room-temperature solid block of beeswax, rub it across the foundation with friction — applying in vertical, horizontal, and circular motions, similar to applying surf wax. Cover all areas multiple times, aiming for 3–5 coats per side, bringing the wax all the way to the edges. For best results, remove the foundation from the frame first and clamp it to a work surface.

Yes. Melt beeswax in a double boiler or slow cooker, then apply it using a foam paint roller. This method can be quicker once you've dialed in your workflow and temperature. Careful temperature control is essential — there's a risk of burns, spills, or fire if done improperly.

For a Primal Bee nest with 8 large nest frames (each approximately 3× the size of a standard Langstroth frame): plan on 8–12 oz of beeswax for a thorough single coat using the solid-rub method, or 4–6 oz if melting and rolling. For all 8 frames double-coated, 12–16 oz (¾ to 1 lb / 340–450 g) is a safe amount to have on hand. For super frames (standard medium or deep wooden frames from any supplier): 1–2 oz per frame, or approximately 8–16 oz per super depending on frame size.

The roller method (melted wax applied with a foam paint roller) covers large Primal Bee frames most efficiently. Melt pure beeswax in a double boiler to ~160°F, dip a foam roller into the wax, and roll it across the entire foundation surface, working quickly before the wax sets. A single coat is functional; two coats are better for heavy coverage. For small quantities, the solid-rub method works well and requires no heating equipment.

The smaller cell size was an intentional design choice based on a few factors. Anecdotal observations from many beekeepers suggest smaller cells may help reduce varroa mite loads, though published research is mixed on the strength of this effect. There's also evidence of increased hygienic behavior in colonies using small cell foundation, and smaller cells mean more bees per surface area, with smaller bees tending to be efficient foragers. Be aware that the science on cell-size effects is genuinely mixed; the beeswax coating matters far more for acceptance than the cell size itself.

Bees are highly adaptable and will naturally draw cells to their preferred dimensions regardless of the imprinted size. The most important factor for acceptance is the beeswax coating — well-waxed foundation of any cell size will be drawn readily. Uncoated or under-waxed plastic is the primary cause of foundation rejection, not cell size.

The science is mixed. Some studies support benefits of small cells for varroa control; others show less clear results. There's published evidence of more hygienic behavior in colonies using small cell foundation, but effect sizes vary by study. Bees are also highly adaptable and will draw cells to their preferred dimensions regardless of what's imprinted on the foundation.

Yes. Bees are highly adaptable and will naturally draw cells up or down to their preferred dimensions regardless of the cell size imprinted on the foundation.

The most important factor is making sure the plastic foundation is thoroughly coated with pure beeswax before introduction. Bees tend to be reluctant to draw comb on uncoated or under-waxed plastic, so a thorough wax application is essential. For detailed coating techniques, check the Primal Bee YouTube channel.