brood off center

jakewade · April 20, 2009, 03:16:50 PM

hey folks,

started 3 new hives, 2 weeks ago... used last years empty comb for most of the starter frames, using 9 frames per hive, outer 4 are new frames with new foundation - duragilt from dadant. all queens are out of cage and working. checking yesterday, noticed one queen has has created her brood 2 frames off center to the right. do i move everything back to center?

2nd question was going to be about mold in all the top feeders but, from reading the forum, it looks like i can add 1 tbls of cider vinegar per gallon of syrup to combat the mold. there was mention of other things like clorox but no measurements... any additions to this her?

thanks ahead of time for any info you may have on these 2 items.

jake

annette · April 20, 2009, 04:30:00 PM

I never knew it to be problem where she is placing brood. Perhaps it is a problem come winter and you want to be sure the cluster is surrounded by equal amounts of honey on all sides so the cluster has a chance to get to the food when it gets cold, but when the weather is warm, I don't think it matters at all. Wait to hear from other more experienced beeks on this.

On the second question I do not have any experience with mold in feeders.

dpence · April 20, 2009, 05:18:13 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. Let the hive become more established.

David

iddee · April 20, 2009, 05:38:54 PM

Get a tenth frame in the hive before you have a mess of comb between frames. If you want a nine frame brood box, although I can't see any reason you would, remove one after all are drawn out.

Nine frames work well in honey supers, but only waste space in brood chambers.

doak · April 20, 2009, 05:49:30 PM

Yes, put the tenth frame back.
The bees do not draw brood cells as deep as honey frames.
The idea for the 9 frame deal is to let the bees draw the comb out deeper for extracting.
It is a breeze to uncap deeper cells. Been there done that.

like was said, 9 frames in a brood box will give you "ALL" the "BURR" comb you do not want to mess with. :)doak

buzzbee · April 20, 2009, 07:08:57 PM

If its cool outside ,i've had packages raise brood away from the entrance reducer hole until their numbers built up.

thomas · April 21, 2009, 01:33:22 AM

Howdy i have a couple of hives doing the same some are rearing brood right over the entrance. But i see they are slowly moving toward the middle of the hive so give it time and she will fill all of your frames in no time.

Thomas

Two Bees · April 21, 2009, 08:35:19 AM

I hived a swarm about two weeks ago that were beginning to build comb on frames 8, 9, and 10 against one side wall of the deep. I just gently loosened the burr comb that was attached to the side wall, removed three empty foundation frames from the opposite side, and slid the three brood comb frames to the center. I placed the three empty foundation frames in the space that was created by my centering the brood frames. No problemo!

jakewade · April 21, 2009, 02:07:37 PM

hey folks,

just wanted to thank all for the info and support. this one queen has established her brood close to the reduced entrance. it is fairly moderate here right now... 50 to 70's at night ... mid 70's to 90 day.... will add back in 10th frame... makes all the sense in the world. any additional opinion on the mold... vinegar?

thank's everyone for taking the time to respond.

jake