What Now?

[John Schneider]

ok...bees are hived. Frame feeder is in and operating. Bees are gathering pollen. I will do my first major inspection this week (probably tonight). When I filled the frame feeder on the weekend, I noticed that they were indeed drawing comb. Assuming that all is well and there is brood etc. At what point in time do I think about adding a second super to the brood chamber? When adding a second super, do I leave the brood nest intact, or do I steal a frame or two to put into the top super?

[carbide]

I typically wait until the bees have drawn out 7 to 8 frames in the first box before I add a second. I wouldn't move any brood from the first box, the bees will start into the second box as soon as they need the room for either brood raising or nectar storage.

[pumpkinpiper]

Sit back and enjoy the ride. you have atleast a couple weeks before you should have to add 2nd deep. IF you have a couple of empty DRAWN OUT frames not in use, add them to your 2nd deep. Steve

[John Schneider]

Thanks Steve and carbide...I do not have any undrawn frames, just brand new pierco frames.

I will check tonight, but I think that they have three frames drawn out already. This is based on a quick peek down into the frames when I added more syrup last weekend.