Drawn Comb

Term from Beekeeping industry explained for recruiters

Drawn comb refers to the honeycomb structure that bees have already built but is empty of honey. It's like pre-built shelving that bees can immediately use to store honey or raise baby bees. Having drawn comb is valuable in beekeeping because it saves bees significant time and energy they would otherwise spend building new comb from scratch. When beekeepers mention drawn comb, they're talking about these ready-to-use wax structures that can dramatically increase honey production and colony growth. It's sometimes also called "drawn foundation" or "built comb."

Examples in Resumes

Managed 50 hives with Drawn Comb rotation for optimal honey production

Implemented Drawn Comb preservation techniques to maintain 200+ frames annually

Trained new beekeepers in proper Drawn Comb storage and maintenance

Typical job title: "Beekeepers"

Also try searching for:

Commercial Beekeeper Apiarist Honey Producer Apiary Manager Bee Farm Worker Colony Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you manage drawn comb rotation in a large commercial operation?

Expected Answer: An experienced beekeeper should explain their system for tracking, storing, and rotating drawn comb across multiple apiaries, including pest management and maintenance strategies for hundreds of frames.

Q: What methods do you use to protect drawn comb from wax moths and other pests during storage?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of various storage methods, preventive treatments, and monitoring systems for protecting valuable drawn comb assets year-round.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you assess the quality of drawn comb for reuse?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain indicators of good quality drawn comb, when to retire old comb, and how to maintain comb in good condition.

Q: What's your process for cleaning and preparing drawn comb for the next season?

Expected Answer: Should describe methods for cleaning, sanitizing, and storing drawn comb between seasons, including handling of frames with various issues.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is drawn comb and why is it valuable to a beekeeper?

Expected Answer: Should explain that drawn comb is honeycomb already built by bees and its value in saving bees' time and resources, leading to increased honey production.

Q: How do you handle drawn comb during hive inspections?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic knowledge of careful handling techniques to prevent damage to the comb and proper frame manipulation.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic hive maintenance
  • Safe handling of drawn comb
  • Understanding of comb patterns
  • Basic pest identification

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Efficient comb rotation management
  • Quality assessment of drawn comb
  • Pest control implementation
  • Storage system management

Senior (5+ years)

  • Large-scale drawn comb management
  • Training and supervision of staff
  • Advanced pest prevention strategies
  • Commercial operation optimization

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of proper comb storage techniques
  • Inability to identify common comb diseases or pests
  • Lack of experience in handling frames carefully
  • No understanding of seasonal management requirements