Mreed
06-02-2007, 06:40 PM
This is my first year and loving it. I am trying to plan ahead. I live in NE Pennsylvania. I am using all medium 10 frame boxes on new Pierco foundation with wood frames. I installed five frame medium nucs in two hives on May 3rd. I asked an experienced beekeeper to help me check the hives on May 17th. We found the queen in each hive and he said they look great. Alot of capped brood, eggs, larvae, pollen, nector and honey. He suggested I add the second super, which I did. On May 30, I had eight frames drawn and being worked in the second box. So I added the third medium. I have been feeding 1: 1 sugar water with Honey B Healthy added since I installed the nucs and they are still taking the syrup.
I checked the third medium box today and I have about three to four frames of drawn with activity on the frames. After 7 to 8 frames in the third box are drawn and when I add the first honey super, another medium on new Pierco foundation I know I need to stop feeding. The question is do I use my queen excluder or not. I have heard and read various opinions on the use of queen excluders, espicially with new foundation. Also do I try to bait them by putting a frame that is drawn up in the first honey super, if so what should be on the frame. Capped brood, eggs, nector, honey or does it matter.
As always, thanks for any advice.
PS. I must walk up to hives atleast twice or three times a day just to watch the little ladies buzz around. This is incredible. I think I am hooked. Already planning two more hives for next year.
I checked the third medium box today and I have about three to four frames of drawn with activity on the frames. After 7 to 8 frames in the third box are drawn and when I add the first honey super, another medium on new Pierco foundation I know I need to stop feeding. The question is do I use my queen excluder or not. I have heard and read various opinions on the use of queen excluders, espicially with new foundation. Also do I try to bait them by putting a frame that is drawn up in the first honey super, if so what should be on the frame. Capped brood, eggs, nector, honey or does it matter.
As always, thanks for any advice.
PS. I must walk up to hives atleast twice or three times a day just to watch the little ladies buzz around. This is incredible. I think I am hooked. Already planning two more hives for next year.