They don't seem to want to build new comb.

[jmblakeney]

These bees are from a bee tree cutout that I done on 4-13-11.  They seem to be doing really well, bringing in pollen and nectar by the truck loads.  The activity in front of the hive is increasing very well these past few days.  The queen is laying in every open cell she finds.  The bees filled out the brood nest box they were in with comb in no time.  They occupy 1 medium brood nest very well.  Almost to the point I am afraid they may start some swarm cells.  However, I put another box on top of them about week or so ago and they have done nothing in that box.   Do you guys have any possibilities why this would be?   

Should I open the brood nest as MB suggest BBEBBEBBEB and then as they get more drawn out just move them into the upper box?  Should i put the empty medium under the existing brood nest?  Or possibly just split the brood nest between the 2 mediums and go BEBEBEBEBE in both boxes.  I am just really unsure as to why they wouldn't be filling this upper box out with more comb especially seeing how crowded they are in the existing brood nest.

Thanks,

James

[Michael Bush]

Bees only build comb when they need it.  They only need it if every cell is occupied by either brood or nectar and there is still nectar coming in faster than it is being consumed.