Plastic foundation differences/Question

[BeeV]

I started with an 8 frame deep with wood framed plastic foundation I bought from one company, then added a medium with wood framed plastic from another company. The first foundation they had no problem with, the foundation I put in the medium they won't touch. The bottom deep is absolutely PACKED with bees and I am afraid they will swarm if they don't get some room soon. As an experiment, I bought some foundation from the first company and replaced two frames, I also replaced two frames with foundation-less  frames with the v strip just to see what happens. I figure if they start to draw right away, the rest of that stuff gets pulled and I will re-coat it and try it again. Sound like a plan? What else can I do to relieve the overcrowding?

[Bee-Bop]

Did you bring a frame of brood up from the lower box to the new upper box ?

That is the age old method to get bees to move up to new upper box/frames.

Good Luck

Bee-Bop

[BeeV]

I thought about that but how do you do that with a deep/ medium combo?

[Bee-Bop]

That is why it is best to pick a size and stick with it.

Some use all deeps for the brood box's others use all mediums.

Really best to have your brood in one size or the other.

I use all mediums [ Illinois ] for brood and supers, much easier on my old back.

Good Luck

PCM

[Course Bee]

If you are going to be using two deep brood chambers I would put the medium between the two deeps to get the bees to start drawing it a little bit quicker. Since you have only one deep I might try putting the medium below the deep so the bees have to go through it to go out of the hive. They should start drawing the comb then so the queen can lay in it.