Not Touching 2nd box

[Matt J]

I added the second box on one of my hives this past Friday. They had 7 frames drawn out in the 1st box. They haven't touched the second box at all. Should I remove it, or just have more patience?  Is it normal for them to ignore it for a while?


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[Wombat2]

How many bees in the box? - you need wall to wall bees ie covering the top bars of the frames before adding another box otherwise there is too much air space to keep warm and they spend time and energy keeping everything warm.

[Matt J]

Everything I've read said when they have 7 frames drawn out add the box. I don't have wall to wall bees. Should I remove it?


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[Barhopper]

You might be a little early for another box but you can try moving up or putting in a frame of drawn comb in the top box to encourage them to move up. Usually you want at least 8 frames before adding another box. If you have a lot of capped brood on the existing frames it won't be long until you need it.

[Psparr]

I'll give you the line before someone else does.
Bees don't read. Best to remove it. You'd be surprised how much too much space slows them down.

[Matt J]

There is a lot of capped brood. Also, we've got highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s.


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[Wombat2]

They are trying to keep that hive up around the 80 mark so the less unnecessary space the better

[Matt J]

So can I safely remove the 2nd box?  There are only a few bees in it. 

[divemaster1963]

Yes just show off th bees in front of the hive frame by frame. Then remove .

John

[GSF]

I respectfully disagree (in part) with the info you've just got. We're in a flow, mine's slowing down but your flow won't end until a week to 10 days after mine. One frame of capped brood will make 3 frames of bees. My swarms will draw out and fill an 8 frame in less than 10 days. This time of year if they get to crowded they'll be hanging on a limb somewhere.

[Matt J]

I respectfully disagree (in part) with the info you've just got. We're in a flow, mine's slowing down but your flow won't end until a week to 10 days after mine. One frame of capped brood will make 3 frames of bees. My swarms will draw out and fill an 8 frame in less than 10 days. This time of year if they get to crowded they'll be hanging on a limb somewhere.

I was especially worried I put it on too soon because I saw a lot more beetles when I put it on. I put in a beetle blaster and took off the  second box. There were only about 20 or so bees in the upper box and they had stopped taking the syrup. Hell, I don't know what I'm doing. They still haven't touched the outside 2 frames in the bottom box. GSF, I tend to want to take your advice to heart being you're close to where I'm at.

I have no bees on the top bars yet, but there was a lot of capped brood last weekend. Some say to add the box when they draw out 7-8 frames, and others say 7-8 frames WITH BEES on them. I have the first, not necessarily the second.  I know I am close to adding the second box, but the increase in beetles kind of told me maybe they're not ready yet.

[Wombat2]

Leave them for two weeks then take a look - they won't be over crowded

[GSF]

Hey Matt, I was thinking 7-8 frames of bees, how many frames of capped brood do you have?

[Matt J]

Hey Matt, I was thinking 7-8 frames of bees, how many frames of capped brood do you have?

About 4. I think my mistake was thinking 7-8 frames of drawn comb. I think 7-8 frames of bees is what I need to be looking for. I should have that soon when all the capped brood emerges.

[Michael Bush]

If you started with a package and if that was three weeks ago, the population should be at an all time low right now as no new bees have emerged and the old bees continue to die off.  In a couple of weeks the population will start to rebound.  In a couple of more it will double.