[simonbraz]

Hi There,

I have started a hive with carniolan bees pure bred with queen and currently have one brood box not yet all drawn frames. To prevent swarming should I add another brood box and when??

Thanks

Simon:scratch:

 

[JRG13]

Why would you be worried about swarming now? How many frames are drawn, how many aren't? Keep the brood nest open by moving frames around first, then add more room when they've filled the first box up.

 

[simonbraz]

Thanks just curious.....yes know is not the time with frames undrawn....just trying to gauge when would be a good time....hear and see different methods...

 

[biggraham610]

People alot smarter than me have told me to add a box when 80-90 % of the frames are drawn. Good Luck. G

 

[JRG13]

It all depends on your area. 80-90% means nothing to me if they can't cover them all or if the queen hasn't laid up all the area she can. If you want frames drawn out quickly, you let them get a little crowded even, then you can add a box, checkerboard them and they'll have them all drawn out and laid up in 3 weeks and ready for a third box. Of course this all depends if there's a flow or not, if you're in a heavy flow it's good to stay a little or even a lot ahead of them but moderate to slow flows it's best to wait til they actually really need the space before giving them any.

 

[crofter]

I am not familiar with your flow but I would wonder whether they will be inclined to draw out much more comb. I have some two and six frame fillers and also have frame feeders to fill space in a second box rather than putting a whole box of undrawn comb on this late. They generally draw comb better in cooler weather if they are a bit more toward crowded conditions. I have bees with a fair bit of Carni breeding and have had them swarm after a week of rain. The queen shuts down laying if nectar and pollen is not coming in and the bees think their queen is failing perhaps. Crowding is not the only cause of swarming.

 

[mppatriots]

I usually add when i have about 7 to 8 frames drawn. BTW, I love my carnis, they seem to never have a mite problem.