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3-In-1 Super Shim™ for Langstroth Hives

3-In-1 Super Shim™ for Langstroth Hives

The 3-In-1 Super Shim™ combines hive ventilation, fondant feeding, and an upper entrance in one modular tool for Langstroth hives.

$45.00
$45.00
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The 3-In-1 Super Shim™ is a modular beehive shim for 8-frame and 10-frame Langstroth hives that functions as an upper entrance, ventilation shim, and fondant feeding shim. Designed to improve hive airflow, winter feeding, and foraging efficiency, it provides three essential hive management tools in one durable, customizable solution.

Key Features:

  • Functions as a fondant feeding shim, upper entrance, and ventilation shim
  • Compatible with 8-frame and 10-frame Langstroth hives
  • Adjustable ventilation with 1–8 removable sections to help manage heat, humidity, and moisture
  • Creates ideal space for fondant patties during winter and early spring feeding
  • Improves bee traffic and reduces congestion at the main hive entrance
  • Fully customizable design—sections can be added, removed, or repositioned as needed
  • Made from durable, UV-resistant PETG for years of outdoor use
  • Designed and manufactured in the USA by a beekeeper, for beekeepers
  • One Hive Super Shim
  • One, two whole Bee Entrance Section
  • Two Vent Sections
  • 17 ct. #4 Size, 3/4 in Screws

For assembly, we recommend using a #1 Phillips screwdriver. A small electric screwdriver, such as the DeWalt DCF680, may also be used successfully. Begin with the lowest torque/chuck setting to help prevent stripping the pilot holes.

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3-In-1 Super Shim vs Traditional Wooden Shim

Feature 3-In-1 Super Shim™ Wooden Shim
Ventilation
✓
✗ Limited - cannot close hole winter
Upper Entrance
✓
✗ No - vented only
Fondant/Norroa Space
✓ Yes - perfect for Norroa Treatments
✗ Sometimes
Modular Design
✓ Yes - LEGO-like connections
✗ No
Weather Resistant
✓ Yes - weather-resistant PETG
✗ No - rots over time

Super Easy Assembly

3-In-1 Super Shim™ FAQ

What is a hive shim?

A hive shim is a spacer installed between hive components to create additional space inside a beehive. Beekeepers use hive shims for purposes such as fondant feeding, improving ventilation, adding upper entrances, and reducing moisture buildup. The 3-In-1 Super Shim® combines all three functions into a single modular design for Langstroth hives.

Do I need an upper entrance?

While not required, many beekeepers use an upper entrance to improve hive traffic and reduce congestion at the main entrance. During nectar flows, an upper entrance can provide foragers with a shorter route to honey supers, helping bees move nectar more efficiently throughout the hive.

Does a shim improve ventilation?

Yes. A ventilation shim can improve airflow inside the hive by creating adjustable openings that allow excess heat and humidity to escape. Proper hive ventilation can help bees regulate temperature more effectively during hot weather and reduce moisture accumulation during cooler months.

Can a shim reduce hive moisture?

Yes. Excess moisture inside a hive can lead to condensation, mold, and poor wintering conditions. A properly configured ventilation shim helps improve airflow and allows moisture to escape, creating a drier and healthier hive environment.

How much fondant fits in the Super Shim?

The 3-In-1 Super Shim® is designed to create ample space above the frames for fondant patties used during winter and early spring feeding. Capacity varies depending on the size and thickness of the fondant patty, but the shim provides sufficient clearance for most commercially available fondant products.

Can bees propolize the vents?

Bees may apply propolis to ventilation openings as part of their natural hive management behavior. However, we've found that if placed above the inner cover bee's tend to leave them untouched.

Does it work with queen excluders?

Yes. The 3-In-1 Super Shim® is commonly used above a queen excluder to provide an upper entrance for foraging bees. This configuration can improve access to honey supers while maintaining the benefit. On occasion, we've witnessed some burr comb built to bridge the gap between the queen excluder, however we don't think it's an issue.

Collapsible rowDoes it increase honey production?

No hive accessory can guarantee increased honey production. However, improved ventilation, reduced entrance congestion, and more efficient forager traffic may help colonies operate more efficiently during nectar flows, which can contribute to stronger honey-producing conditions.

Collapsible rowCan I use it year-round?

Yes. The 3-In-1 Super Shim® can be used throughout the year. Many beekeepers use it as a ventilation shim during summer, an upper entrance during honey flows, and a fondant feeding shim during winter and early spring.

Is PETG safe for beehives?

Yes. PETG is a durable, food-safe plastic commonly used in food containers and outdoor applications. It offers excellent resistance to moisture, UV exposure, and temperature fluctuations, making it a reliable material for long-term beekeeping equipment.

Will bees build burr comb inside the Super Shim?

Bees may build burr comb in any extra space within a hive, especially during strong nectar flows. Proper placement and seasonal use help minimize burr comb, and any comb that is built can typically be removed during routine hive inspections if desired.

Winter Feeding

Space for Fondant

During cold months, bees often cluster tightly to stay warm and can’t move far to reach stored honey. Fondant—placed directly above the cluster—gives them an energy source they can access without breaking their cluster.

In the Fondant Shim® configuration, the 3-in-1 Super Shim® creates the ideal amount of space to place fondant directly on top of the frames while still maintaining proper clearance for the cover. This helps improve winter feeding efficiency, reduces moisture buildup from improvised feeding methods, and allows beekeepers to quickly check and replenish fondant with minimal disturbance to the colony.

Upper hive Entrance

Boost Foraging Efficiency

Adding one or more upper entrances between the queen excluder and honey supers gives bees an easier, more direct access to the honey storage area. The hole allows bees to bypass the brood nest and travel quickly to the honey supers, which can help in speeding nectar processing and possibly increasing honey production.

Every Super Shim comes with a one hole section for easy interchangeability. The hole is about 5/8 inch in diameter

  • Provides bees a shorter route directly to honey storage, which may improve efficiency and honey filling of the supers.
  • Increases airflow and ventilation in the hive, aiding in honey drying and reducing moisture.
  • Can help bees bypass the brood area and avoid congestion during nectar flow.
Watch our Video

A Breath of Fresh Air for Your Colony

Hive Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential for a healthy hive. Notice the large number of bees fanning at the entrance of the hive on the right—a sign they're working hard to regulate airflow and temperature.

That's why the 3-IN-1 Super Shim™ was designed to improve ventilation, helping bees spend less time cooling the hive and more time building a thriving colony.

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Melissa C - Fuzz & Buzz Apiary (Sarasota, US)
Perfect for use with Norroa treatment packets

Bought these to use as shims for Norroa varroa mite treatment pouches. Provided the perfect amount of space. I was concerned the girls would try to propolize the empty space but they didn't. I'm on the Gulf coast of Florida with stifling heat this time of year. The ventilation segments provide much needed airflow without creating spaces for robbers to get in. Also used the segments with holes (3D printed little plugs for them) as potential escape hatches should hurricane storm surge threaten. So many potential uses for this product! It's easy to assemble and very sturdy.

Melissa C - Fuzz & Buzz Apiary review photo Melissa C - Fuzz & Buzz Apiary review photo Melissa C - Fuzz & Buzz Apiary review photo

Hi Melissa, thank you so much for this review — what a great rundown of ways to use the 3-In-1 Super Shim™. We love that it gave your Norroa™ pouches exactly the clearance they needed, and that the girls left the vent sections alone. Norroa™ is catching on fast with beekeepers, and since those pouches call for about a half inch of space above the frames, the Super Shim is a natural pairing.

Gulf coast heat in late summer is no joke, so we're glad the ventilation segments are moving air without opening the door to robbers. And using the vent holes with 3D-printed plugs as emergency escape hatches ahead of storm surge is a genuinely clever idea — that's a new one for us, and we may have to share it with other coastal beekeepers.

Thanks for the kind words on the assembly and build quality. Stay safe out there this hurricane season, and happy beekeeping.

R
Rex S. - Harmony Hollow Apiary (Richardson, US)
Easy to assemble!

The 3 in 1 shim was fast and easy to assemble, and works great as a space for putting my mite treatments. (Apiguard). And will hold the space for sugar when using Mountain Camp feeding method (or sugar bricks) in winter.

Change out a section to make it a ventilated shim or upper entrance.

Hi Rex, we're so glad to hear the 3-In-1 Super Shim™ is working well for you, and thanks for sharing your tips on customizing it for ventilation and entrance options. The assembly video you put together is genuinely impressive — it'll help a lot of other beekeepers get set up faster. We really appreciate you taking the time:

https://youtu.be/gnOv2o6o4wU

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William S. (Mansfield, US)
So Many Uses in One Accessory

The 3-In-1 Super Shim has become a go-to in my operation. If you use Norroa mite treatment, this spacer is exactly what you need — Norroa requires the additional space above the frames to work properly, and this shim does that perfectly. Airflow stays consistent and everything stays in place without fumbling with improvised spacers. I'm also looking forward to using it this winter for sugar bricks, which is going to make winter feeding so much cleaner and easier. The upper entrance and ventilation are a bonus the bees clearly appreciate during Texas summers. So many uses packed into one simple accessory. Durable, well designed, and built by someone who actually keeps bees. Highly recommend.

Hi William, thank you so much for your detailed and kind review! I'm thrilled to hear the Super Shim™ is making a positive difference in your beekeeping. Your feedback about its versatility and design means a lot. Happy beekeeping and thank you for your support.

K
Keith (Fort Worth, US)
Great for ventilation

Just put together a configuration with many vent sections. Already seeing improvements in the number of bees hanging out on the front.

Thank you for your positive review of our 3-In-1 Super Shim™! We're delighted to hear that you've found a configuration with multiple vent sections that works well for you and your hive. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us and we hope our product continues to provide great ventilation for your bees. Happy beekeeping!