Second year beekeeper. Last winter lost all my hives to winter. New packages this year but difference is that I have drawn comb from last year dead outs.
I only fed when I installed packages into top feeders, about a gallon of 1:1.
However on inspection the bees have filled most of the drawn comb in each hive (I had enough comb for 3-4 frames per hive) is filled with either syrup or nectar. I don't believe we are on a flow here in northern Kansas. They have capped very little of it, I would say none but a few frames had less than 5% in the corners.
Queens look healthy, and there is open brood in a good tight pattern, however they look like they have nowhere to lay. I'm afraid that they will be honey bound and swarm. No swarm cells beside 1 small empty cup in 1 of the hives, not worried about it. There are quite a few bees with wax scales but no new work on other frames.
Do I keep feeding to try to entice them to draw out the rest of the frames? My gut says not to, just this is first season with drawn comb and thought I would check with the board.
I only fed when I installed packages into top feeders, about a gallon of 1:1.
However on inspection the bees have filled most of the drawn comb in each hive (I had enough comb for 3-4 frames per hive) is filled with either syrup or nectar. I don't believe we are on a flow here in northern Kansas. They have capped very little of it, I would say none but a few frames had less than 5% in the corners.
Queens look healthy, and there is open brood in a good tight pattern, however they look like they have nowhere to lay. I'm afraid that they will be honey bound and swarm. No swarm cells beside 1 small empty cup in 1 of the hives, not worried about it. There are quite a few bees with wax scales but no new work on other frames.
Do I keep feeding to try to entice them to draw out the rest of the frames? My gut says not to, just this is first season with drawn comb and thought I would check with the board.