What next?

[bwallace23350]

I have added more boxes to my 2 hives because of the growth in the hives. So what is my next course of action and when should I check on them again? They are making good honey and brood.

[KeyLargoBees]

if you are comfortable with the space they have you could go to a 2 week or even longer rotation...and even then maybe just pop the lid to check space in the honey super and not disturb the brood box....but there are goign to be other opinions on this I am sure ;-)

[GSF]

Hey Key, I'm about 35 miles north of Montgomery. The flow is on and strong. Better peep in in about another week.

[bwallace23350]

Ok I will check in a week or so. I just put on top a new 10 frame deep box.

[KeyLargoBees]

Too true GSF....We get a longer more steady flow down here and there isnt really ever a dearth...but its not the crazy fill a box in a week flow you guys get I guess.....

I guess I also assumed since this is his first year he was using naked foundation or foundationless which would slow them down some too.....

[bwallace23350]

They are naked foundation. I had them in a 10 frame deep and they were filling the first box up so added another. I will check back in a week but everything is in bloom right now here. Let it get dry in July and we might have a dearth. I am so afraid they will swarm on me and I will lose my hives.

[iddee]

Keep adding boxes when they are 80--90% fully drawn. Move a couple frames of honey up into the new box and replace empties "NEXT TO" the brood nest.not in the middle of it. When you find fully capped frames of honey, rob one or two for yourself.

[bwallace23350]

Thanks for the help

[GSF]

I've seen them draw out an 8f deep and fill it with nectar in about a week's time during the flow.

[BeeMaster2]

if you leave the back of the hive hanging over the wood about an inch, you can use your fingertips to lift the back of the hive just a little bit and feel the weight. If you do this after you add a super and then on a daily or weekly basis, you can feel how much weight they are adding to the hive.
Jim

[bwallace23350]

I read somewhere that a ten frame deep can weigh 90 pounds. I am not worried about the weight being 31 and in pretty fantastic shape but what are some averages on weight I should be looking for to measure how full?

[BeeMaster2]

I'm usually looking for a change in weight eventually they get to the point that you cannot lift them with one hand.
I have thought about adding hooks and using a scale but it must bee done correctly.
Jim