Starter strip problems

[IndianaHoney]

I cut some starter strips from deep brood foundation and gave a frame to a strong hive in mid March. I checked it today. They drew it out pefectly straight as I had hoped. But its all drone comb. I put it right in the middle of the brood nest, any ideas why I got drone comb so early?

[Michael Bush]

This is the time of year they make a lot of drones. I'd move it to the outside and let them keep going.

[IndianaHoney]

Ya I didn't take it out because I was afraid that if I replaced it, they would do the same thing.

If I leave that frame in, and put in another frame, what would they most likely do with it? I'm figuring that if I leave it in there, they should have enough space for drones, and start drawing brood. Am I figuring wrong?

[Dave W]

The bees MAY draw more than 1 frame of drone cells. They will make as many drone cells as THEY NEED. Once that need has been met, worker cells (and/or) "honey cell" come next.

Try MrBEE's advice, relocate the drawn drone cells to the outside and put more undrawn starters near the middle.

[sierrabees]

I would let them have the drone cell and when it is almost all capped take it out and put it in the freezer a few days, then give it back. That will help to slow down the buildup of varroa mites. Use what the bees give you instead of fighting what they want to do.

[IndianaHoney]

I'll do that. Even though it was all drone comb, the naturally drawn comb's quality was was so much better than any comb I've seen from foundation. I can see why people are saying that natural comb is healthier.

[Michael Bush]

>hen it is almost all capped take it out and put it in the freezer a few days, then give it back.

If you have a Varroa problem this might be helpful. On natural cells I have not found it necessary and if you don't have a Varroa problem they will have wasted all those resources rearing drones, which they will spend again to get them since they still don't have them. Also, if you remove the drone comb they may go back to drawing drone comb again.

[RAlex]

I have read that you should add the frame between two frames of capped brood. That said , I am fairly new to the process . Hope this helps... Rick

[Dave W]

>add the frame between two frames of capped brood . . .

"Between" (splitting nest) might be risky this time of year, I would suggest "next to".

In May or June, if they are still drawing comb, "into" (between) might encourage them to draw, when they might otherwise not be so willing.

[Michael Bush]

If you have a strong hive, you might get by with putting a frame in the brood nest right now. On a weak one I would wait.

[Troy]

My hives have been drawing the comb pretty well, just too much drone brood. Each frame is about half worker, half drone.

I am going to buy some drone foundation and let them draw at least one full frame of drone comb.

Maybe then they'll have their urge satisfied and will draw all the rest with worker comb. It's a working theory anyway.