Imirie Shim — 10 Frame Hive Spacer
A simple wooden frame that adds about 3/4" of vertical space between hive bodies — useful any time you need a little extra room without committing to a full super. Designed for 10 Frame Langstroth equipment.
Features
- Fits standard 10 Frame Langstroth hive bodies (19 7/8" × 16 1/4" outer footprint)
- Adds about 3/4" of internal space between boxes
- Ships unassembled — light assembly required (nails and basic hand tools)
- Ships plain (no notch) by default — leave a note at checkout if you want a notch cut for an upper entrance
- Sturdy, simple pine construction (3/4" stock)
How it works (in real life)
The Imirie shim — named after the late Dr. George Imirie of Maryland — sits between two hive bodies the same way a queen excluder does, but adds vertical space instead of restricting movement. Three common uses:
- Medication application. Drop in a varroa treatment strip, fume board, or other above-frame treatment without crowding the brood nest.
- Queen introduction. Hang a queen cage between frames and use the shim to keep the boxes from compressing the cage.
- Feeding. Make room for a pollen patty, candy board, or small inverted feeder without removing frames.
If you order with a notch, the notch becomes a small upper entrance during the honey flow — handy for ventilation and traffic flow. Note that bees will burr-comb a shim if it's left in place too long. Use it for the job at hand and pull it back out.
Before you order
- This is the 10 Frame size. If you run 8 Frame equipment, contact us before ordering.
- Ships unassembled — four cut pine pieces with nails. Assembly takes a few minutes with a hammer or finish nailer.
- Ships with no notch by default. To get a notch cut for an upper entrance, leave a note at checkout.
- Not intended as a permanent component — install, do the job, remove.
Pairs Well With
- Plastic Queen Cage - Flip Top — pair with the shim for queen introductions where you need extra hanging space
- Queen Cage / Roller Cage — alternative queen cage style
Specifications
- Compatibility: 10 Frame Langstroth equipment
- Assembled outer dimensions: 19 7/8" × 16 1/4" × 3/4"
- Material: 3/4" pine
- Assembly: required (ships flat with nails)
- Notch: optional, cut on request
- Supplier: Miller Bee Supply (item #W425)
FAQ
Do I need an Imirie shim?
Not for everyday hive work — but if you treat for mites, introduce queens, or feed patties, a shim makes those jobs noticeably easier and reduces the risk of crushing brood when stacking boxes.
What's the difference between a shim with a notch and without?
The notch becomes a small upper entrance and ventilation point during the honey flow. Some beekeepers prefer one; others don't want the extra opening. Either is fine — most people start with no notch and add one later if they decide they want it.
How hard is assembly?
Four pieces of pre-cut pine, eight nails. Five minutes with a hammer, less with a finish nailer. Pre-drill if you're worried about splitting the ends.
Can I leave the shim on permanently?
No. Bees will fill the extra space with burr comb if left long-term. Use it for a specific job (treatment, introduction, feeding) and remove it once that job is done.
Will this work with 8 Frame hives?
No — this is the 10 Frame size. Contact us before ordering if you run 8 Frame equipment.
