If there is plenty of honey in the bottom box you would be alright to clean out the burr comb and put in the new frames. I would recommend moving two of the frames up from the bottom box to the second and put one new frames in each box. I run ten frame boxes with only nine frames in all my hives. As soon as the last nectar flow quits, start feeding sugar syrup and hopefully they will fill some of the new frames.
How to Fix my Beekeeping Mistake?
I started a new colony this spring. When it came time to add a second deep, I only had 6 frames (10 frame box). I figured I would get 4 more frames and put them in the next week. Well life got in the way and its been 5 weeks. The bees have been busy and the open space is filled with all kinds of honey filled comb twisted in a totally unmanageable mess. Bees have been doing their part, I failed them.
I feel like a have two options.
1) Clean out the honey filled comb in the open area. This will make a heck of a mess and spill lots of honey on the lower box, and more importantly take half of their winter reserves at a point fairly late in the season. Our nectar flow usually last another two weeks or so. I feel like this would be dooming them for the winter.
2) Leave it as is. Let them use the reserves all winter, and clean up the mess in the spring when there are fewer bees, and most of the honey is gone. Its hard to think of not opening that hive again until Spring, but it seems this gives them a chance to make it.
Welcome any advice or thoughts.
I feel like a have two options.
1) Clean out the honey filled comb in the open area. This will make a heck of a mess and spill lots of honey on the lower box, and more importantly take half of their winter reserves at a point fairly late in the season. Our nectar flow usually last another two weeks or so. I feel like this would be dooming them for the winter.
2) Leave it as is. Let them use the reserves all winter, and clean up the mess in the spring when there are fewer bees, and most of the honey is gone. Its hard to think of not opening that hive again until Spring, but it seems this gives them a chance to make it.
Welcome any advice or thoughts.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Same thing happened to me last season, but I was only 2 frames short. I smoked the comb to chase the bees and scraped right from the bars. I got the whole cross-combed mess in one piece. I know it's nerve wracking as a beginner (as I am) but I got it. I think the bees should have enough time to build up for winter (It's still summer, when is a normal harvest time in your area?). If you can give clean comb and frames all the better, but foundation is what I did. Worst case is you'd have to feed them.... What do the rest of you think? -MarkI started a new colony this spring. When it came time to add a second deep, I only had 6 frames (10 frame box). I figured I would get 4 more frames and put them in the next week. Well life got in the way and its been 5 weeks. The bees have been busy and the open space is filled with all kinds of honey filled comb twisted in a totally unmanageable mess. Bees have been doing their part, I failed them.
I feel like a have two options.
1) Clean out the honey filled comb in the open area. This will make a heck of a mess and spill lots of honey on the lower box, and more importantly take half of their winter reserves at a point fairly late in the season. Our nectar flow usually last another two weeks or so. I feel like this would be dooming them for the winter.
2) Leave it as is. Let them use the reserves all winter, and clean up the mess in the spring when there are fewer bees, and most of the honey is gone. Its hard to think of not opening that hive again until Spring, but it seems this gives them a chance to make it.
Welcome any advice or thoughts.
Just leave it till spring, the bees have it set up the way they like.
pictures pictures pictures...... dont sweat it ... many keepers that do cut outs see all kinds of tasty artwork.
Get a new box and an inner cover. Move the frames into the new box and add the rest of the frames to make 10, then put that box onto the hive. Put on the inner cover, then put that box with the wild comb on top of the inner cover, put the top of the hive on and the bees will move it down. When it's robbed out, clean up the box and melt that nice comb down.
Wow! If all goes well, that takes care of all of the problems at once. They will draw comb on the new frames, save & store all of the honey, and clean up the mess. Great advice!Get a new box and an inner cover. Move the frames into the new box and add the rest of the frames to make 10, then put that box onto the hive. Put on the inner cover, then put that box with the wild comb on top of the inner cover, put the top of the hive on and the bees will move it down. When it's robbed out, clean up the box and melt that nice comb down.
Its not pretty, but I would leave it. It bothers you more than them.
Your upset...bees look happyYes, pictures, good idea. You can see that taking off the top cover opened up things quite a bit. What a mess.
That's the brilliant idea I was looking for. Thanks much.Get a new box and an inner cover. Move the frames into the new box and add the rest of the frames to make 10, then put that box onto the hive. Put on the inner cover, then put that box with the wild comb on top of the inner cover, put the top of the hive on and the bees will move it down. When it's robbed out, clean up the box and melt that nice comb down.
Maybe.
I would put that box on the bottom (reversal). clean it up next spring. I would say you are ready for another box.
I would put that box on the bottom (reversal). clean it up next spring. I would say you are ready for another box.
Maybe.
I would put that box on the bottom (reversal). clean it up next spring. I would say you are ready for another box.
I would put that box on the bottom (reversal). clean it up next spring. I would say you are ready for another box.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Beesource Beekeeping Forums
A forum community dedicated to beekeeping, bee owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, honey production, health, behavior, hives, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
