Drawing foundation

[Sherpa1]

I have read that bees will not draw foundation unless there is a honey flow or they are being fed sugar syrup to simulate a honey flow. My bees have a shallow super almost full of capped honey. Will I still need to add sugar syrup to get them to draw the foundation. Thanks.

[Dave W]

Bees need sugar syrup or nectar to produce wax. If your shallow was filled this year, you must have incomming nectar. If the shallow is left-over from last year, the bees wont use the stored honey to produce new wax.

[Sherpa1]

Thanks, Dave. The shallow was left from last year. Should I remove the shallow of honey when I put on the feeder?

[Hanginin]

Foundation is drawn primarily by young bees who have very active wax glands. Suggest you continue feeding 1:1 sugar syrup until they will take no more. When you have an active honey flow the syrup won't be attractive.

[Michael Bush]

They draw comb when there is nectar (or syrup) and no where to store it. It helps if it's warm enough to work the wax.

[iddee]

NoviceBee,
You do not want to feed at this time. You have a honeyflow going on right now. If you feed now, your honey will not be pure. It will be contaminated with suger. Just add another super and let the bees work.

[Sherpa1]

Thanks Iddee. I wasn't sure if we had a honeyflow or not. What are the normal dates for the honeyflow in our area?

[iddee]

It starts when you see the first dandilion. Gets better with peach blossom, more at apple blossom, and full flow with blackberry blooms.

[R.L. Bee]

Iput on new foundation last Friday and my bees havn't started drawing it out yet.I think they are still filling space in the double brood box. Does that sound right.

[iddee]

The double brood box should have 17 or 18 frames drawn out before adding a super.