Product Overview
Assembled 3/4-Inch Wooden Bee Hive Shim
Extra Space Above Your Frames Without Adding a Full Hive Box
The Assembled Wooden Bee Hive Shim from Lappe's Bee Supply provides 3/4 inch of additional clearance above the frames in a compatible Langstroth hive. It is a practical way to make room for appropriately sized fondant, winter feed patties, or pollen patties without adding a full-height hive box just for feeding space.
Available in 5-frame, 8-frame, and 10-frame configurations, this fully assembled wooden shim has a low-profile, unnotched design. At Lappe's Bee Supply, we use these shims in our own apiaries for supplemental feeding and other hive-management situations where additional clearance is needed.
Features and Specifications
- Height: 3/4 inch
- Material: Wood
- Construction: Fully assembled and ready to install
- Available sizes: 5-frame, 8-frame, and 10-frame
- Hive type: Compatible Langstroth hive equipment
- Opening: Unnotched; no built-in entrance or ventilation notch
- Primary purpose: Creates additional clearance above hive frames
- Common applications: Fondant, winter feed patties, pollen patties, and other suitable clearance needs
- Assembly required: None
Why Use a 3/4-Inch Bee Hive Shim?
A bee hive shim is a shallow frame placed between hive components to create additional vertical space. Unlike a full hive body or honey super, a shim is intended to provide clearance rather than additional frame capacity.
This shim is especially useful when supplemental feed requires more space than the existing clearance between the frame top bars and hive cover allows.
The important distinction is clearance. This shim does not hold frames, dispense feed, or function as a complete feeding system. It creates space for feeding materials or other suitable hive-management arrangements.
Choosing the Correct Hive Shim Size
Select the configuration that matches your existing Langstroth hive equipment. The available 5-frame, 8-frame, and 10-frame versions are intended for their corresponding compatible hive configurations.
| Shim Size | Outside Dimensions (L × W × H) |
| 5-frame | 20" × 9-5/16" × 3/4" |
| 8-frame | 20" × 14" × 3/4" |
| 10-frame | 20" × 16-3/16" × 3/4" |
Before ordering: Match the shim to your existing equipment. Frame count alone does not establish fit with nonstandard hive boxes or equipment having different outside dimensions.
Also check the thickness of the material you intend to place above the frames. The shim provides 3/4 inch of additional height, but that does not guarantee every feeding product will fit beneath the cover.
How We Use Wooden Hive Shims at Lappe's Bee Supply
Our family has been involved in commercial beekeeping since 1978, and Lappe's Bee Supply has served beekeepers with equipment and practical beekeeping education since 2017. We use these assembled wooden shims in our own apiaries for several straightforward applications.
Winter Feeding With Fondant
We use 3/4-inch hive shims to create space for appropriately sized fondant and supplemental winter feed patties above the frames. This allows us to provide additional clearance without installing a full-height hive box solely for that purpose.
Feed placement matters, especially during cold weather when a colony may have difficulty reaching food that is too far from the cluster. The shim creates the space, but the beekeeper must still consider feed accessibility and colony conditions.
Pollen Patty Feeding
We also use these shims when placing appropriately sized pollen patties above the frames. Supplemental protein feeding may be considered when natural pollen availability does not adequately meet colony needs, particularly during periods of brood rearing.
Whether supplemental feeding is appropriate depends on the colony, available forage, season, and management goals.
Additional Clearance During Hive Management
Sometimes a hive arrangement needs a little additional room above the frame top bars. A low-profile shim can provide that clearance without adding a deeper box.
How to Install the Wooden Hive Shim
- Choose the correct size. Confirm that the 5-frame, 8-frame, or 10-frame shim matches your hive equipment.
- Inspect the shim. Check for damage, warping, or buildup that could prevent the wooden frame from sitting properly.
- Position the shim. Place it above the uppermost hive box to create additional clearance above the frame top bars.
- Add supplemental feed when needed. Position appropriately sized fondant or patties where the bees can access them.
- Replace the hive cover. Make sure the feeding material does not interfere with closure.
- Check the fit. Confirm that the shim and cover sit securely on the hive.
Lappe's Apiary Tip: Check feed thickness before installing the shim. If your feeding material needs more than 3/4 inch of additional clearance, we recommend using a taller shim or another feeding arrangement that provides enough space for the hive cover to close securely.
What to Expect After Repeated Use
From multiple seasons of using wooden hive shims in our own apiaries, we have observed that wax and propolis can accumulate on the wood. Discoloration and weathering may also develop during normal use.
We have also observed shims continuing to fit reliably after repeated use. Cosmetic changes alone do not necessarily mean a shim needs replacement.
Our maintenance practices include removing wax or propolis buildup when needed and repairing minor damage when practical. We replace shims when the wood becomes structurally damaged or warping prevents proper fit.
When a shim is removed from service, dry, protected storage helps limit unnecessary moisture exposure.
What Is Included?
Each purchase includes one fully assembled wooden hive shim in the selected 5-frame, 8-frame, or 10-frame configuration.
Hive bodies, frames, covers, fondant, pollen patties, and other supplemental feeding supplies are sold separately.
When Should You Choose a Taller or Notched Shim?
The 3/4-inch assembled wooden hive shim is a good option when you need limited additional clearance and do not require a built-in opening.
Winter Use Note: This unnotched shim provides additional clearance for feeding but does not replace proper winter ventilation, moisture management, or insulation when those are needed.
Consider a different configuration when:
- Your supplemental feed or feeding equipment requires more than 3/4 inch of additional space.
- You specifically need a manufactured entrance or ventilation notch.
- Your hive equipment does not match the available shim configurations.
- You need additional frame capacity rather than clearance above the frames.
A taller shim may be more appropriate for thicker feeding materials. A notched shim may be preferable when the hive arrangement specifically requires an integrated opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 3/4-inch bee hive shim used for?
A 3/4-inch bee hive shim creates additional space above the frames in a compatible hive. It can accommodate appropriately sized fondant, winter feed patties, pollen patties, or other hive-management materials requiring limited vertical clearance.
Does this hive shim arrive assembled?
Yes. The wooden shim arrives fully assembled, so no frame assembly is required before installation.
Does the shim have an entrance or ventilation notch?
No. This is an unnotched wooden hive shim and does not provide a built-in entrance or ventilation opening.
Will a 3/4-inch shim fit every pollen patty or fondant package?
No. Feeding materials vary in thickness. Check the space required by your feed and confirm that the hive cover will close securely before using the shim.
Can I use this shim on an 8-frame or 10-frame hive?
Yes, when you select the corresponding compatible 8-frame or 10-frame configuration. A 5-frame option is also available. Check equipment compatibility before ordering.
Does the shim replace a feeder or honey super?
No. The shim provides clearance only. It does not dispense feed or provide additional frame capacity like a hive body or honey super.
Where should I install the shim?
Install the shim above the uppermost hive box to create additional clearance above the frame top bars. When using supplemental feed, check accessibility and make sure the cover sits securely.
Should I replace a wooden shim if it becomes discolored?
Not necessarily. In our apiaries, we have continued using cosmetically discolored wooden shims when they remain structurally sound and fit properly. Cracking, structural damage, or warping that prevents proper seating are reasons to replace the shim.
Related Hive Feeding Equipment
Depending on your feeding method and the amount of clearance required, these related options may be useful:
- Super Tall Bee Hive Shim — Assembled — an alternative when greater vertical clearance is needed.
- Bee Hive Shim Feeding Kit Combo — a related feeding equipment option.
- Winter Bee Feed & Feeding Supplies — supplemental feeding products and accessories.
- Winter Beekeeping Supplies — additional seasonal hive-management equipment.
Choose the Right Shim for Your Hive
Choose the 5-frame, 8-frame, or 10-frame wooden hive shim that matches your equipment. Confirm that your feeding materials fit within the available clearance and that the hive cover closes securely. This fully assembled shim provides a simple way to add feeding space without installing a full hive box.
