sfamous,
The condition you describe, considering
PA climate/bee biology is NOT 'honey bound'.
You were late getting the second deep on
the colony, and it will take time for them
to move up, your condition sounds more
like overcrowding.
By mid to late June, the flow in PA is beginning to
subside. In the past few seasons, this
subsiding of the nectar flow happened
rather abruptly, in early to mid June.
Any beekeepers which manipulated
stores are added too much foundation
at that time, left the bees in a dire condition,
not being able to draw out or fill up empty
combs. This can lead to stress during
the summer lul, and can be catastrophic
if the fall flow fails.
My advice to you is; although clover this
season is particularly good, and may extend
the early flow till late June, or perhaps early
July, these bees are not honeybound. Strong
colonies cannot become honeybound with nectar
'during the active season' because they have the
work force to move it at will. (Honey bound is
a spring condition). At this time, nectar and pollen
in the bottom deep are being stored there to get
the colony through the upcomming summer lul, and
to provide food to rear young bees in mid August
when the fall flow begins. So the condition, IMO is
fuel for fall build up, and NOT honey bound. Also,
if you are keeping Russian bees, it is normal for them
to clog the broodnest with nectar and pollen starting
with the decline in the early flow.
Considering 1. the aproach of the end of the early
flow, 2. that you are a new bee. 3. and that the
bees are starting to move up on their own and
build comb. I would not recommend you do any
manipulations. 4. opening the broodnest by use
of the other posters recommendations is IMO
better suited for promoting brood production
in 'production colonies', this colony is NOT a
production colony, and is still in the growth
stage, therefore, perhaps IMO not advised
considering the aformentioned, and the fact
that you are aproaching the end of the
nectar flow (comb building season).
Best wishes,
Joe
"Keep plenty of cows and bees, as
the surest way of having milk and
honey. Confine your cows with a
good fence but let your bees go at
large. -American Farmer, 1831
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/