Foundationless, multiple combs per frame

[TimLa]

I installed a package in a foundationless medium, and they built comb like crazy, but...

They are now building 2 combs on most frames, so the frames stick together.  I had forgotten to push the frames together, and they used the extra space.  My bad.

I added another medium a week ago, they are doing the same thing in that one.

Do I just cut out the extra comb?  Treat that comb like a cutout?

I've added a frame of plasticell in the middle of each box, hoping they'll see the light.

On the positive side, I saw a worker emerging from her cell, that was kinda cool!

There were quite a few drones, and while I saw the queen and eggs and larvae last week, didn't see any of that this week.  There was a pretty big, dark colored 'thing' at the end of one of the frames - on the top of the lower medium.  I was wondering if it was a queen cell, didn't look like what I've seen in the books...

I have so much to learn.  It's like being a teenager all over again.

-T

[Kathyp]

when you go out and find weird stuff, take a picture and post it.  probably someone can ID if for you  :-)

i tried all foundationless and had some of the problems you are having.  fewer problems with starter strips, but still some.  now i put one full sheet in the middle and stater strips on all the others.  it seems to work pretty well.

[Michael Bush]

>They are now building 2 combs on most frames, so the frames stick together.  I had forgotten to push the frames together, and they used the extra space.  My bad.

That's a problem even with foundation, but with foundationless they will perpetuate any problem on down the line.  I would cut them out and tie them into frames.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespackages.htm#dontleavemessedupcomb

>I added another medium a week ago, they are doing the same thing in that one.

The sooner you fix it the better.

>Do I just cut out the extra comb?  Treat that comb like a cutout?

Yes.  Just like a cutout.

>I've added a frame of plasticell in the middle of each box, hoping they'll see the light.

That may help with getting them in the right direction, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.  It may not help with the getting them in the center of the frame.  Do you have a comb guide?  Does it stick out well?  If you don't have a guide they tend to build on the edges of the top bar.

[Roadigger]

When I first started bees I ran out of frames and they were getting crowed in the brood box so I put supers on with only a couple frames in and the rest of the super was filled with comb in a matter of a week or so. I learned my lesson when there is a flow the bees are going to stow .