I was emergency feeding my box of bees today, and noticed that in the brood box they didn't build on the wooden slats only. They basically built comb between the wooden slats, anywhere there was space. There were some wooden slats missing from that brood box. I don't assume this is normal? In the spring time how can I fix it so they build only in the wooden slats? Do I need to put something inside the wooden slats for them to do it neatly?
I have picture if allowed to post..(?)
>I was emergency feeding my box of bees today, and noticed that in the brood box they didn't build on the wooden slats only. They basically built comb between the wooden slats, anywhere there was space.
Is there foundation in the frames? Is it wax? Plastic? Is there excess space between the frames? Are they tightly together? In the spring youc an cut the wild comb out and tie it into frames.
> There were some wooden slats missing from that brood box.
That will contribute.
> I don't assume this is normal?
Now and then wild comb happens, but less if you have the right number of frames, and it's not acceptable as you can't inspect the brood nest.
> In the spring time how can I fix it so they build only in the wooden slats?
Put a full compliment of frames in with either foundation or comb guides and crowd them all to the middle.
> Do I need to put something inside the wooden slats for them to do it neatly?
Yes. Either foundation or comb guides.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm#emptyframes
Thanks for the help! that is what I was thinking. I wont be able to find the queen or inspect the laying pattern. It sounds like it will be a job to fix though. It looks like they were just wood slats with no foundation. I was missing around 3-4 frames in the center of the box, and they built that just sorta cross in and in a wavy pattern. I have 2 other boxes that I haven't inspected the broodbox, and now I am curious what surprises I will find.
One is a box I picked up that was local and abandoned. Those bees were from a beekeeper but somewhat feral but they are the healthiest I have. They are slightly darker then the Italians I bought. I plan on trying to split them off in the spring to make a new box....
Read up on how to do a cutout. That's what you need to do. Try a search on here for lots of pictures and descriptions.