packages on foundationless

[Pond Creek Farm]

Whether I can split my hives next spring remains to be seen, so I am planning on nucs and packages to expand the bee yard.  I have enjoyed my foray into foundationless beekeeping, but my experience is limited to one super on one hive.  I would like to start a package on foundationless in mediums next year.  How is this done?  I have several mediums with starter strips melted into the top bar ready for spring.  Should I put one or two with a package?  Do I need to use an excluder as an include?  Should I throw in a couple of Mann Lake pf 120 as guides?  I appreciate your input.

[annette]

I started a package on all starter strips this past summer. I use only medium supers also. Nine frames of starter strip frames with one drawn out comb right smack in the middle for them to follow as a guide. The bees did a great job of drawing out all the frames perfectly straight.

When they filled up that super, I placed another super with 10 frames of only starter strips on top. That was a mistake and they made a little mess on some of the combs. I should have placed a drawn out frame in that super also.

It is very easy.

[Michael Bush]

>How is this done?

Put the package in one box of foundations with some kind of guide on them (starter strips, wood comb guide etc.).

> I have several mediums with starter strips melted into the top bar ready for spring.  Should I put one or two with a package?

One.  Always limit the space to only what they need at first.

> Do I need to use an excluder as an include?

You may if you like.  I never do, but last year I kind of wish I had.  I'm not sure if it would have helped, but a lot of packages moved next door and combined themselves.  I think it was a batch of poorly mated queens.

> Should I throw in a couple of Mann Lake pf 120 as guides?

One wouldn't hurt if you have one.  None usually works ok, but a drawn comb would be the best.

[Pond Creek Farm]

Thanks for the advice.  I do not have any fully drawn out comb, so I guess I will use a pf 120.  I do have the one super which by this April ought to be fairly empty, and perhaps I cold rob and empty frame of comb from one hive and replace it with a blank to draw out.  What kind of timeframe would you expect it takes a package before it requires another medium?  I do not want to be too slow and force a swarm.

[annette]

 When to add another super depends on the kind of honey flow you have going on. Just keep checking them and when 7 out of 10 frames are filled up, then you add another super.

Bees usually do not swarm the first year, but remember that adding supers does not always prevent bees from swarming. Opening up the brood nest to give the queen room to lay eggs will help to keep them from swarming. Read more about this on Michael Bush's website.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

I gave my hive plenty of room to grow and they still swarmed. I was perplexed until I learned about giving the queen room to lay.