Product Overview
Why Lappe’s Bee Supply
Commercial Beekeeping since 1978 • Family Owned/Operated • Full Service Beekeeping Supplier since 2015
At a Glance
The Triple Wax Coated 9-1/8" Green Drone Frame by Pierco is a full-depth plastic drone frame designed for standard deep hive bodies.
This frame is used by queen breeders, honey producers, and beekeepers who want a non-chemical drone brood removal method for managing Varroa mite pressure.
Quick Answer
A green drone frame gives the colony larger drone-sized cells where the queen can lay drone brood. Because Varroa mites prefer drone brood, capped drone comb can be removed and frozen as part of a mite management routine.
Best choice if: You want to add drone comb management to a standard deep hive body.
Quick Specs
- Size: 9-1/8"
- Configuration: Full-depth drone frame
- Material: Plastic
- Finish: Green with triple wax coating
- Key Feature: Drone-sized cells for drone brood production and mite management use
- Compatibility: Standard deep hive bodies that accept full-depth frames
- Brand: Pierco
- Sold As: Single frame
Is This Right for You?
- ✔ Use this frame for drone brood removal as part of Varroa mite management.
- ✔ Use this frame to support larger drone populations for queen breeding.
- ✔ Use this frame in standard deep hive bodies that accept 9-1/8" frames.
- ✖ This is not a set-and-forget mite control method.
Bottom line: Choose this product if you want a full-depth green drone frame for drone brood management in a standard deep hive body.
Why Beekeepers Use This Product
Queen breeders use drone frames to help maintain larger drone populations for mating yards and queen production programs.
Drone frames can also be used as part of an integrated pest management plan because mites are attracted to the larger drone cells.
How It Works
Place one green drone frame into a hive and allow the bees to draw and fill the drone cells.
- Once the drone brood is capped, remove the frame from the hive.
- Place the frame in a plastic bag and freeze it overnight.
- After the frame warms to room temperature, lightly open the tops of the cells with an uncapping scratcher and return the frame to the hive.
Apiary Management Notes
- Drone frames must be removed soon after the drone brood is capped.
- If capped drone brood is left in the hive too long, drones can emerge and carry mites back into the colony.
- Scratching the cell caps lightly helps reduce comb damage and allows the bees to clean the frame more quickly.
Seasonal Use
- Spring: Use when colonies are building and drone production is part of the management goal.
- Summer: Use as part of an active inspection and drone brood removal routine.
- Fall: Do not rely on drone brood removal as a stand-alone mite management plan.
What’s Included
- One Pierco green plastic drone frame
- Full-depth 9-1/8" frame size
- Triple wax coating
- Drone-sized plastic comb foundation
Comparison
This green drone frame is different from standard worker-cell frames because it is designed around drone-sized cells.
| Feature | Triple Wax Coated Green Drone Frame | Standard Deep Frame | Standard Foundation Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Drone brood production and drone brood removal | General brood nest or honey storage use | General comb building on worker-sized foundation |
| Cell Type | Drone-sized cells | Depends on the frame and foundation used | Typically worker-sized foundation |
| Best For | Queen breeding, drone production, and mite management routines | Everyday hive setup and colony expansion | Routine brood comb or honey comb production |
| Management Needed | Requires timely removal after drone brood is capped | Managed during normal hive inspections | Managed during normal hive inspections |
| Why Choose It | Choose it when you want a dedicated drone comb frame for a specific management purpose | Choose it when you need a general-purpose deep frame | Choose it when you want standard worker-cell comb production |
Who This Is For
- Beekeepers using drone brood removal as part of mite management
- Queen breeders who want to support drone populations
- Beekeepers using standard deep hive bodies
Common Mistakes
- Leaving capped drone brood in the hive too long
- Forgetting to freeze the capped frame during mite removal use
- Scratching too deeply and damaging more comb than necessary
- Using drone brood removal as the only mite monitoring method
FAQ
What is a green drone frame used for?
A green drone frame is used to encourage drone brood production and can also be used for drone brood removal as part of Varroa mite management.
How many green drone frames should I use in a hive?
The provided use instructions recommend inserting one green drone frame into each hive.
When should I remove a drone frame for mite control?
Remove the frame once the drone brood is capped and before the drones begin to emerge.
Does this frame replace mite monitoring?
No. A drone frame can support mite management, but it should not replace regular mite monitoring.
How many frames come with a quantity of 1?
A purchase quantity of 1 includes one green drone frame.
About Lappe’s Bee Supply
Lappe’s Bee Supply provides beekeeper-tested equipment designed for real-world apiary use.
Share Your Experience
If you have used this green drone frame in your apiary, leave a review and let other beekeepers know how it performed in your hive setup.
