stupid bees

[rw3212]

I am having a problem getting the bees to build ON the foundation. The insist on building BETWEEN the frames. Any ideas as to what I'm doing to influence this behavior?

10 frame deep ... feeding 1:1 as accepted with EO

Thanks, Ron

[Aspera]

Hehe...."Such are the joys of beekeeping" Dr. C.C. Miller.

Try using strait wax foundation or narrow frame spacing.

[cow pollinater]

I had the same problem when I first started with plastic foundation. Buy some beeswax, melt it, and paint it on a few frames and then as the bees fill those frames you can rotate the frames with un-drawn foundation in between the drawn frames one at a time. You can do them all if you want but you really only need to give them a start.
I think there was an article in the Bee Journal within the last month or so about this method.

[Jim Fischer]

Shove the frames TOGETHER, as tightly a possible.

If the bees have made a mess of it, you may want to cut away
the "rouge comb".

[Michael Bush]

>Shove the frames TOGETHER, as tightly a possible.

This is the most likely cause. My guess is they are NOT tightly together.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing

[Ross]

Push all your frames together tightly in the center of the box. They won't have a choice.

[BEES4U]

Italian bees have a tendency to build bridge and brace comb.
The Russian and Carniolans are superior to Italians when it comes to drawing out plastic frames.
I just shook out 200 four pound packages onto 100% Pierco foundation and 10 days later it is 60 to 85% drawn out. The frames are 1/2 the length of a top bar and full depth for queen breeding.
Regards,
Ernie lucas Apiaries
(Queen Breeder.)