Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Pond Creek Farm on July 11, 2008, 12:59:41 PM

Title: drone comb/ natural cell
Post by: Pond Creek Farm on July 11, 2008, 12:59:41 PM
I have a super on one of my hives (probably too early for its strength, but that is another issue).  I noted that the bees are drawing out comb, and it is all drone comb.  I am guessing that this is because the two deeps beneath are filled with Mann Lake PF-100 and the super is now the only place to be able to easily build drone comb.  I have read on this forum and on Mr. Bush's site that the bees will build a certain amount of drone comb despite any effort to stop it, so I want to encourage them to do what they want while discouraging them from doing it in a honey super. I am wondering if it would be a good idea to simply put one blank frame with starter strip and wires in each deep and let the bees draw out whatever they want.  Then they have their drone comb and I have my small cell bees.  Does this make any sense?
Title: Re: drone comb/ natural cell
Post by: Moonshae on July 11, 2008, 05:23:57 PM
It could also be storage comb, which is larger than brood comb.
Title: Re: drone comb/ natural cell
Post by: Robo on July 12, 2008, 10:01:36 AM
Quote from: Pond Creek Farm on July 11, 2008, 12:59:41 PM
I so I want to encourage them to do what they want while discouraging them from doing it in a honey super.

Having it in honey supers makes extracting easier.
Title: Re: drone comb/ natural cell
Post by: Michael Bush on July 20, 2008, 02:05:36 AM
If you leave the drone comb they will stop building it when they get enough of it.