Joined
·
2,574 Posts
If you added a box of foundation they may not recognize it as more room. If you have any drawn comb from from your dead hive I would add it to the new box. Or move a couple of frames from the lower box up and replace them in the lower box with drawn comb if available giving the Queen room to lay.
We don't know where your bees are located, but in my area brood rearing begins in Jan/Feb. My hives can be very heavy at that point and very light by the end of March. Brood rearing can deplete their stored honey rapidly. You wouldn't want to starve them now.
You may want to make a split when the time is right. You could use the extra honey in them if there is still too much. Splitting will also help you to keep those hard working bees from swarming.
Good luck.
Alex
We don't know where your bees are located, but in my area brood rearing begins in Jan/Feb. My hives can be very heavy at that point and very light by the end of March. Brood rearing can deplete their stored honey rapidly. You wouldn't want to starve them now.
You may want to make a split when the time is right. You could use the extra honey in them if there is still too much. Splitting will also help you to keep those hard working bees from swarming.
Good luck.
Alex