Where to add bars?

[Margaret Sloan]

We started our new tbh with 9 frames two weeks ago. Already they've built comb (perfectly straight!) on the 9 frames. We need to add some more bars, but don't know where to add them. At the back? The front? In the middle?

[kaisfate]

We started our new tbh with 9 frames two weeks ago. Already they've built comb (perfectly straight!) on the 9 frames. We need to add some more bars, but don't know where to add them. At the back? The front? In the middle?

my understanding is you should add empty bars toward the entrance...i could be wrong. Just out of curiousity, what are you using as a comb guide on your top bars?

[Jer733]

Where is your entrance? Usually add away from entrance or evenly on either side.




1/3

[Adrian Quiney WI]

I added them at the back last year, moving my follower board back, but they ignored them and swarmed.
If the temperatures are warm, 60's or 70's, and they are bringing in nectar I would be inclined to add 1 or 2 at a time. Place them between 2 straight bars, between bars 3 and 4, and or bars 5 and 6 in your case.
Bees want to swarm; Heavily crowded, unemployed nurse bees are a big factor in swarming; Adding bars in the brood area reduces congestion and then gives them a job.
Once I understood this and added bars in this manner, only adding new bars as the others were drawn down, my box filled up.
Keep in mind that as you place bars you need to adjust where you put them. In other words it won't always be between bars 3 and 4, and or 5 and 6. The straightest comb seems to be drawn between bars in the brood nest. If you add bars between bars in the honey area the bees are often inclined to just make the comb on the bars on either side a lot thicker, and much more unmanageable. It is fascinating to see their progress. Adrian

[stangardener]

if they were hived 2 weeks ago i would add bars to the back or just remove any follower board.
unless you hived them with brood the colony population will be dwindling for a couple more weeks. that's not the time to open up a brood nest.

[Michael Bush]

I would always have all the bars in the hive. All you should be doing is moving the follower, assuming you have one. I'd move it back about 9 more if they have 9 bars done. After they have most of those 9 done I'd remove it altogether or put it all the way in the back.