Hi,
I have use about 2500 frames / foundation of pierrco at one time before going small cell. I have found that the wax is usually thinly applied and not always even (must be trying to save a few $$$). Are you feeding the bees at this time? Here's a trick. Take one of the undrawn frames from the out side and place between two capped frames of brood. You must feed as this will divide the broodnest but the bees should draw it out very quickly. Some times the bees may construct cell on one side but they tear them down 90% of the time. This will open up the broodnest to give the queen a place to lay. What is happening is the population is declining at this time and waiting for new bees to emerge and the queen is hankered down waiting too as there is no place to go till these new bees expand the broodnest. This is a form of congestion and sometime, though rare bees will swarm. By placing the foundation to the center the bees will draw it out fast to give the queen laying room and she should take to it real quick. This will help the bees to get stronger as they will usually sit idle till the new bees make this expansion. Once this frame is drawn and half laid up do the other. I use this technique alot especialy with strains that are more inclined to swarm to open up when no combs are available. Also when baiting up and then foundation to the center.
Clay
I have use about 2500 frames / foundation of pierrco at one time before going small cell. I have found that the wax is usually thinly applied and not always even (must be trying to save a few $$$). Are you feeding the bees at this time? Here's a trick. Take one of the undrawn frames from the out side and place between two capped frames of brood. You must feed as this will divide the broodnest but the bees should draw it out very quickly. Some times the bees may construct cell on one side but they tear them down 90% of the time. This will open up the broodnest to give the queen a place to lay. What is happening is the population is declining at this time and waiting for new bees to emerge and the queen is hankered down waiting too as there is no place to go till these new bees expand the broodnest. This is a form of congestion and sometime, though rare bees will swarm. By placing the foundation to the center the bees will draw it out fast to give the queen laying room and she should take to it real quick. This will help the bees to get stronger as they will usually sit idle till the new bees make this expansion. Once this frame is drawn and half laid up do the other. I use this technique alot especialy with strains that are more inclined to swarm to open up when no combs are available. Also when baiting up and then foundation to the center.
Clay
