I have two hives that have done quite well. I recently added Api Var Life to treat for mites. I am in my second application. I inspected the hives this last time before adding the AVL and found that the two brood supers in both hives are chocked full of honey. They have drawn out all the comb on all the frames and there is very little space left for anything. Should I add a super? Should I move full frames to a weaker hive to make room for more brood? There seem to be plenty of bees at the moment, very few drones, so it seems to be healthy right now. I just want to make sure I can get them through the winter with good workers. I'm new at this so I've never had this problem (?) before. I'd appreciate some guidance. Thanks for any help, Joe
What's your location? You can't take honey when treating for mites.You should have put honey supers on sooner and then harvested. Do you have spare empty drawn out frames available?
Depending on your location...this could be an excellent time of year to treat for mites but what led you to do so? Did you do a drop count or are you treating just to treat? There are very few mite treatments that may be done with honey on the hives (if you want it for yourself). Make sure to follow label directions.
Scott
I'm in Indiana. I took honey off in July. I am leaving the rest of the honey for the winter. I am just worried that there is no space to do anything in the coming months when there will be some pollen and nectar. I am also worried that there is no more room for brood.
Unless you get the most bodatious goldenrod flow, they won't draw any more comb. I'd say you are are fine, they won't have quite as much room for brood, but they don't need so much room this time or year anyway. Sounds like the hive is doing great!