Thanks MB. Tried empty frames

[Mike Gillmore]

Michael,

I've been reading up all I can about the small/natural cell comb and finally got a chance to try it about a week ago on one of my hives.
I pulled 3 frames from a fairly strong 2 deep colony and added 3 foundationless frames about 8 days ago as you have suggested. Today I went in to check their progress and was astonished when I pulled out the most perfect frames of drone comb and larvae that I could have imagined. I never dreamed that they would build it that fast - and it was perfect! -filled the entire frame. This same colony still has a couple of frames with plastic foundation from last year that are about 2/3 drawn that they still have not finished. I'm definately sold on the empty frames.
I want to thank you for all of your advice and instruction on the forum regarding this, and other topics.
Now I don't have to buy any "Drone Foundation" for mite IPM, and I look forward to seeing what they build as I move them to the outside and feed in more frames. If what I just witnessed continues I may never buy foundation again.

Thanks again,
Mike

[drobbins]

Mike

it's a bit mindblowing how fast they draw them isn't it smile.gif
I converted mine to all natural cell last year and now I'm feeding a few frames of SC foundation into the broodnest to try to get whole frames of SC there
the natural cell was great fun

Dave

[Michael Bush]

Drawing their own comb is what bees do. They do it very well and very quickly. Drawing on foundation is what they put up with. They do it half heatedly. Drawing on plastic is what they hate. They fight it all the way. smile.gif

[guatebee]

MB: besides proper spacing (1 1/4" o.c) of empty frames, putting them in-between drawn comb and having a strong colony, how can I improve the odds of getting worker cells instead of drone?
From what I`ve read from you and others, apparently bees make different type of comb at different time of year, because there are different purposes (breeding, storing). So, is timing crucial to introcucing empty frames and having worker comb built?

[Michael Bush]

The best way to get worker comb is let them build the drone comb and let them keep it. Once they have the amount of drone comb they want they will draw worker comb. If you take the drone comb away, they will just make more of it.