Comb building speed

[watercarving]

What factors affect comb building speed? How do the main breeds rank from best to worst, Italians, Russians, Carnis, etc.?

How much comb should an average hive be building this time of year hear in GA?

Thanks.

[Michael Bush]

>What factors affect comb building speed?

Too many.
o  Availability of nectar. 
o  Availability of young bees. 
o  Temperatures (hotter is better). 
o  Need for comb space.
o  Momentum.  The longer they draw comb the more efficient they become at it.
o  Race.  Some races are more prone to drawn comb well.
o  Genetics.  Some bees, regardless of race, are more prone to draw comb well.

> How do the main breeds rank from best to worst, Italians, Russians, Carnis, etc.?

The Russians and Carnis and any of the dark bees (Caucasians, AMM etc.) are usually not quite as gung ho at comb building as the Italians.  But the darker bees make prettier whiter cappings on their comb honey.

>How much comb should an average hive be building this time of year hear in GA?

As much as they need.  And they will.

[watercarving]

Thanks. I spoke with a couple of guys with Italians and they had drawn 8-12 top bars out in a couple of weeks. My Russians have about 2 each. They are flying great, are putting honey away, and are very gentle but just don't seem to care about comb building. Being my first year I'm trying to keep my eye on everything.

[Michael Bush]

I bought a bunch of NWC packages this spring to have enough bees for queen rearing.  Some went queenless.  Some have floundered but have a couple of frames of brood.  Some have exploded and filled four boxes with brood and honey.  All are supposedly the same genetics.  Queen quality this year has been very poor.  Many failed, many drone layers, many that the bees moved next door because they didn't like the queen.