[riversong6]

The subject is the question.

I'm just wondering if there is a definitive answer. I've heard they will, reluctantly.

Thanks,

Riversong6

 

[mamm7215]

Had this happen in my main hive this year, yes they will. They’ll store hone while they’re still capped brood.

 

[bushpilot]

The subject is the question.

I'm just wondering if there is a definitive answer. I've heard they will, reluctantly.

Thanks,

Riversong6

They will fill it with honey just the same as the regular comb. I suspect (but cannot prove) they do not put pollen in it as readily, from my limited observation.

 

[fatshark]

That's my observation as well bushpilot. Here's a frame from directly over the center of the broodnest.

they leave space for the queen to lay but don't usually pack it will pollen. About 70% of my supers are on drone foundation - it takes less wax to build and I also think it extracts better as there's less 'wall' for the honey to cling to.

But ... they are a pain if the queen sneaks above the excluder and lays up a couple of boxes of them mid-season

 

[viesest]

But ... they are a pain if the queen sneaks above the excluder and lays up a couple of boxes of them mid-season

She can't go back to the brood section; give her some space.:scratch:

 

[little_john]

Drone comb in a super - will bees store honey in it after the drones all emerge?

I don't normally 'super' hives as a rule, but this year has been exceptional - so I've been putting deeps over brood boxes, into many of which I've needed to insert several undrawn frames.
So - not only will they happily store honey in pre-drawn drone comb, but I now see them drawing-out new drone combs and then storing honey in them.
LJ