Swarms in Texas

[LKBruns]

I have seen numerous reports of swarms in Central Texas. 

This will be my first spring, I started my hives from packages last April.  I do not have any drawn comb for honey supers and I believe it to be still early to switch brood boxes. 

Is there anything that can be done to reduce swarming with this crazy weather.  We have had very little cold weather.  Will adding a box of foundation at the bottom help give them room.  My fear is we could still have some cold weather so I did not want to put on an empty box just yet.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

[Dallasbeek]

This has been a really strange winter all over the country, so you're right to fear cold yet to come.  I have a philodendron in a huge pot on my patio.  I used to put it in the garage for the winter, but it got so large after 45 years and I got so old that I left it out to freeze back to the ground the past 5 or 6 years.  Guess what?  It's February and it's still green!  I expect it to still get hit by cold later this month, but who knows really what to expect.

Look to see how your bees' stores are.  With them active and no nectar out there, you probably need to feed them.  Dry sugar (mountain camp or fondant) are probably your best bet. Undrawn foundation probably is not a good idea.  They'll have more space to defend and no way to draw the foundation, since there's nothing coming in.  Drawing foundation requires a lot of honey.  Besides these girls are not at the stage of development required for producing wax, I believe.  I think about March or early April will be right for that.  I'm from Caldwell and Gonnzales counties, so I'm familiar with your area.  Let's say Mid to late March, though things could start blooming earlier this year.  I'm seeing lots of dandelions blooming here right now.

[BeeMaster2]

LK,
One thing I will probably do is add a super below the brood box for just the reason you mention. I have one 2 medium hive that is pact full of honey. It is very heavy. I do not want all that dead space above the bees but a super below the bees will not hurt them if we get cold snaps.
I suspect the swarms you are hearing about are actually absconds as mentioned numerous times in other threads.
Jim

[LKBruns]

Thanks for the help - much appreciated

[BeeMaster2]

NP. I hope it helps.
Jim