[Ernesto]

I am moving hives into a strong Lavender flow but am worried that the substantial quantities of wildflower honey currently in all of my brood chambers will potentially alter the integrity of the lavender nectar to be collected. If this is a concern, I could reduce the existing stores to a minimum. Suggestions?

 

[Acebird]

It isn't likely unless the brood nest is full and you have a QE on so they can't raise brood anywhere else. But that might ensue a swarm. The bees are not going to waste time moving honey in a flow is my thought. The wild flower honey is this year or last years honey?

 

[dfortune]

If depend on the condition of your hives. I overwinter in singles, and in my experience they move most of it up in the first day or two if they need the room. So if your worried about you could come back in a day or two and pull those frames if there are any. Im Also assuming your using drawn comb.

 

[Ernesto]

It isn't likely unless the brood nest is full and you have a QE on so they can't raise brood anywhere else. But that might ensue a swarm. The bees are not going to waste time moving honey in a flow is my thought. The wild flower honey is this year or last years honey?

Thanks Brian for your thoughtful response. These hives are double brood chambered and were thinned over a month ago so the queens still have a fair amount of laying room; I don't use QE's so my queens shouldn't feel pinched. The wildflower honey is from both last year and this spring. ernie

 

[Ernesto]

If depend on the condition of your hives. I overwinter in singles, and in my experience they move most of it up in the first day or two if they need the room. So if your worried about you could come back in a day or two and pull those frames if there are any. Im Also assuming your using drawn comb.

Thanks dfortune, these are all double deeps with fair amounts of laying room. I've decided to pull all but 2 frames of honey/hive and replace with drawn combs for additional space. The remaining combs are all drawn as well. I'll then super them with new supers, again all with drawn comb.