One of the difficulties of a horizontal langstroth is getting to the first frame. I have to slide each and every honey frame backwards, to get to the brood nest.
Can I leave some space between the first frame and the hive's entrance wall, where the brood nest is? That way, I can push the first frame closer to the entrance wall, and have room to pull out the second frame without rolling the bees or squishing the queen.
How much room can I leave without them building more comb in the gap?
A frame pushed flat against the entrance wall, with its side bars touching the hive front wall, has 1/8 inch space between the top bar and the wall. Any two frames pushed together have 1/4 inch between their top bars.
Can I pull the first frame's side bars 3/8 inch back from the wall, which will leave 4/8 (1/2) inch between the top bar and the entrance wall?