Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: biggraham610 on April 27, 2014, 02:04:31 PM

Title: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: biggraham610 on April 27, 2014, 02:04:31 PM
Hey I installed a new package a couple weeks ago. I gave them 4 frames fully drawn in the center followed by partially drawn to foundation on the outside two. Upon my first inspection I noticed everything was looking good, eggs larvae and capped brood. Have been feeding. I figured best to feed so they could pull the rest of the comb. I looked yesterday, and they had 3 frames of capped brood. The other full frame was full of "sugar nectar". they had finnished drawing the following frame, and some work on the others, but it had no eggs or larvae. I moved the "honey" out and the drawn frame in, It was like she wouldnt cross the "honey" to find drawn frame. Did I do the right thing? Should I stagger the brood with the partially drawn frames? Didnt see her. Thanks for any suggestions. G :idunno:
Title: Re: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: asprince on April 27, 2014, 03:34:34 PM
You did good.


Steve
Title: Re: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: iddee on April 27, 2014, 03:41:24 PM
You are correct. She will not cross a honey or pollen frame. You have to keep empty frames in the brood area. You did the right thing. Keep doing it.
Title: Re: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: biggraham610 on April 27, 2014, 06:35:37 PM
Thanks to you both. So stagger empty next to the broodnest and keep pushing the pollen and honey out. Thanks G :)
Title: Re: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: Kathyp on April 27, 2014, 07:33:48 PM
and don't over feed.  if you have a nectar flow going in your area, you probably don't need to feed more and you'll need to watch that they have plenty of room.  they can fill things up quickly in the spring especially as the number of workers grows.
Title: Re: Package Problem....Help Please
Post by: biggraham610 on April 27, 2014, 11:03:47 PM
Thanks Kathy :)