Disd i use too many frames with old comb?

[MeriB]

I hived two packages on sunday in 8 & 10 frame hives. I used all drawn out frames with comb, some pollen and a bit of honey from my previous hives that died this winter. Today, i removed the queen cages. Both had built nearly a full frames worth of new comb in the space with the queen cages. I took it out and put in the missing frames. Yes with comb
Was this a mistake. Should i add another box now and checkerboard the frames? should i go in and replace some of them with foundation? since it is so late, i wanted them to be able to get right to collecting.
i am really freaked out by this. i don't want to loose any more bees!
Meridith

[bigbore]

no, the bees were just doing what bees do. there was a gap that violated bee space rules, and they filled it in. Don't worry about it, just wait until you have bees covering about 7 or 8 frames when you inspect, and then add the next box. You are doing your bees a huge favor by supplying them with drawn comb, but don't put too much on or they will not be able to take care of it.

[MeriB]

That is my concern, I gave each box comb on all available frames. When I add the next box, should I alternate foundation with the comb and save some for additional boxes?
Also. the bees were covering one queen cage, in and on the outside. they were still there 20 min later so I picked it uo and dropped it into the box with the feeder in it (on top of the inner cover. I was afraid the queen was in there even though it was only 15 or so bees.
Meridith

[mothergoosemagic]

I'm in a similar situation re: holding back frames from die outs. I have given my hives enough drawn frames that they can comfortably cover in the center of the brood box, and fill the rest of the outside space with new frames with foundation or nothing at all.

I had some trouble with wax moths last year, and I noticed they didn't seem to like the foundation wax alone. This way, the bees can draw new wax as they need it, or I can drop in the already drawn frames without disturbing the brood nest.

[NasalSponge]

You did just fine, if it were a swarm I would say use foundation but being a package you gave them a great head start. If you want more drawn comb (a very good thing to have) then feel free to alternate the next box with comb and foundation, either way will be fine.

[Michael Bush]

>Both had built nearly a full frames worth of new comb in the space with the queen cages. I took it out and put in the missing frames.

And the "missing frames" had no foundation? If you removed the foundation and put it in the frame and used string or rubber bands to keep it from falling out, you did the right thing.