Bees won't touch the last few frames

[garprob]

Firts year bee keeper here. Got 2 three pound packages and hived them on April 22nd. Since then both hives have been doing well I think- one has been doing exceptionally well. I started both with a single deep hive body and a beemax top feeder. After a few weeks the hive that has really taken off had filled 7 of the 10 frames with comb but was working more to the left than the right so the 3 epmty frames were all on the left end. I put a second deep on at that time expecting the bees to finish the bottom deep and move up to the top. They moved up but never filled out the last 3 frames in the bottom deep. The other hive just filled out the 7th frame last week so I added a second deep. They are configured the same way with 3 empty frames on one end. I assume they will move up the same way and leave the 3 frames empty.

My question is this- Do I need to do something different to get them to fill in the last 3 frames in the bottome deep or do I just need to be patient and they will fill them up in their own time?

[RayMarler]

Here's what I'd do,
After they get 5 frames drawn in the top box you've added, I'd move the three undrawn frames from the bottom and move them to the top. Replace them with drawn frames from the top. Use the frames from the top with the most nectar in them and move them to the outsides in the bottom, and the empties you move up top, move them to the outside.

[alexis]

My question is basically the same, although I'm not as far along. I am in CT. I got my packages (4) on May 21. In two weeks, they have drawn out between 6 and 8 frames in the supers (1 each) I provided. I am concerned that if I add another super too soon, they will never draw out the comb on the remaining frames of the bottom super.

Also, two hives face east and two hives face south (I live on the east side of the a steep hill, so I have distressingly little afternoon sunshine). The foundation they haven't touched is on either the west or the north. Is it okay to move other drawn (full of nectar or capped nectar only) frames to the outside, so the foundation is nested inside drawn frames (but not inside the frames they are using for brood), so they will draw them out, or should I put the second super on top, then rotate them down as garprob suggested?

Thanks.
Alexis

[KQ6AR]

If their working on 8 of the 10 frames in you're box its time to add another box.

In my hive I switched frame 1 with2 @ switched frame 10 with 9.
I turned the drawn side of 2 @9 towards the outer wall of the hive. We'll see how that goes.

[Joseph Clemens]

Around here, if a colony is strong and growing during a medium to strong flow, they will build comb in every nook and cranny, filling frames with comb, honey, pollen, and brood.

[Nan3902]

I am a new beek. I move my frames around when I see alot of comb building going on in one place and none in others. The bees just fill in it. I am certainly no specialist, but that's just what I've done. I did add another super and they have not gone done anything in there yet.

Buit it is good to know they fill in every nook and cranny.

Nancy
Ovid, NY

[Joseph Clemens]

If their population is strong and growing in conjunction with a nice strong flow, they will certainly, "fill er' up" rather quickly. If they aren't strong enough or the flow isn't strong enough, you will likely see colonies struggle to expand to fill the confines of their hives.

[topdog17]

Should you start feeding at this point?

[gmcharlie]

the basic issue is not east west north or south. its up and down.... they prefer up and down.... Ray is correct move the emptys up and fill the bottom box. They will move upward more than right or left.

the other trick is to put on an entrance reducer bised towards teh empty side... IE make them walk across the undrawn..... but its easir to to move the frames around.

[NasalSponge]

I am just a lazy beek....I leave them alone and they have never failed to draw and fill every frame when they need it.