Mixed Worker/Drone Frames

[Ben Framed]

I have in storage several Worker/Drone Frames. When using these frames for splits, will the bees convert  what might be an excessive amount of drone cells back into worker cells if they feel the need or will they continue to produce drones from these provided frames, even if I were to add 3 of these frames to a 5 frame starter Nuc?  In other words, will they produce that excessive amount of drones in a start up situation if I were to chose to use these frames for producing nucleus colonies? Thanks

[Jim134]

This is something you may be interested in. If you keep the population under 4000.... You will get worker comb

http://entomologytoday.org/2014/08/21/honey-bee-hive-population-of-4000-triggers-rearing-of-male-reproductives/



              BEE HAPPY  Jim134   

[The15thMember]

I've never added that many frames with drone comb to a split, but I've added one or two, and usually my bees just fill the drone comb with nectar and build new worker comb. 

[Lesgold]

Interesting question. We know that bees convert worker cells to drone cells as they need to but going the other way may be a more difficult task for the bees. What about cutting out the drone comb so that new comb can be built?

[Ben Framed]

Interesting question. We know that bees convert worker cells to drone cells as they need to but going the other way may be a more difficult task for the bees. What about cutting out the drone comb so that new comb can be built?

Yes cuttin it out should work fine. I ask the vice-versa question, (drone to worker), hoping to add a little more education to my little beekeeping file book. It seems we might have discussed this at one time or another here but I can't remember for sure...

[Michael Bush]

Bees almost never tear down cells with cocoons in them.  It's too much work.  They tend to fill them with honey if they don't need the drones.