Bees eating/using wax frames

[hollie]

Hi - I'm in the south west of Western Australia. On receiving 6 x 4 frame nucs, I set them into 4 x 10frame and 2 x 8frame boxes, and fed them. They are going well - only one is still weak. On the last 2 inspections, it was really obvious that the outer frames of wax are being used - some by about 50% - so I guess the girls decided they didn't need that space at the time.
But now the 3 really strong hives are needing room, as the main flow will start in January, with a run up flow of Jarrah any time from now on; 2 more are not far behind.  The strong hives have brood in 6-7 frames, 2 frames of nectar/pollen then the chewed frames outside in positions 1 and 10. There is wax building beginning on the tops of the frames.
The question is, will they repair the chewed up frames in order to use them? Or will they say 'not enough room here, let's go....'
Appreciate comments and advice - thanks.
Christine.

[BeeMaster2]

The bees do not need the foundation to build comb. We use foundation to tell the bees where to place the comb. It is a guide for them to follow.
Take one of those frames and add it in between your brood frames. With a flow on, they will draw it out.
Jim

[Acebird]

will they repair the chewed up frames in order to use them?

They will repair them and most likely make it into drone comb if left where they are.  If you move them into the brood area like Jim suggest they will make them into worker brood comb.  My choice would be to let them do what they want and only make sure they don't build cross comb.

[hollie]

Thanks for the replies, Guys.
These hives are actually not mine - they belong to a newbie who works away, but they were not ready for collection when expected, and he was stuck so asked if I'd settle them in: he is due back mid-December, and there's the problem, because I think they will need more room before he gets back. I'd really hate to have them swarm.
The frames were old comb, worker cells mostly so should have been good to use. I guess the real question is would they repair them in time for the start of the main flow in 6 weeks.
The whole area around the farm has been burnt -part of a control burn - so they will have to fly about 1 km to reach significant Eucalypt blossom.They are relying on weeds (flatweed/dandelion/capeweed/plantain) tee tree blackberry blossom, garden/veg plants and some other wildflowers. That's why I thought they might be using the wax.
Would I do better to replace the frames, thus hopefully avoiding a lot of new drone comb, Or will they just use those too??
I don't have a lot of spares....  the point is to build strong hives so they can get sufficient on board to get through the winter and it doesn't matter how long it takes.  I just didn't want them to swarm.  Locals with knowledge tell me a lot of beeks have had very high swarming rates this year.

[hollie]

Acebird Says:
They will repair them and most likely make it into drone comb if left where they are.
[/quote]
Why do the bees repair with drone comb?
Are you saying that if I move them to the edges of the brood, will they repair right away in order to use them? They have chewed the frames including the foundation, leaving about two-thirds of the frame, and large gaps/holes.

..... and only make sure they don't build cross comb.
[/quote]
How do I prevent that cross/burr comb, Acebird?

Thanks!

[BeeMaster2]

Acebird Says:
They will repair them and most likely make it into drone comb if left where they are.

Why do the bees repair with drone comb?
Are you saying that if I move them to the edges of the brood, will they repair right away in order to use them? They have chewed the frames including the foundation, leaving about two-thirds of the frame, and large gaps/holes.

..... and only make sure they don't build cross comb.
[/quote]
How do I prevent that cross/burr comb, Acebird?

Thanks!
[/quote]
The reason you put them in the middle of the brood is the bees do not like having the open space in the brood area and they usually want worker brood there also. If they need drone cells and they have no other place to add drone cells they will sometimes build them any way. When a hive is strong, they want to produce about 15% drone cells.

The bees quite often will leave the outer frames un drawn until they run out of space.

The way to minimize cross/burr comb is to give them something to follow.
We use foundation in frames spaced according to bee space rules or in foundation less frames, we use a waxed wood strip or a short piece of foundation attached across the top.
Jim

[Acebird]

Why do the bees repair with drone comb?

Because bees raise drones near the outside of the brood nest and usually worker brood on the inside.  In preparation of a swarm they raise a lot of drones.  If the outside frames do not get used for drones they will pack it with honey or nectar and they don't need the smaller size cells for nectar.  It takes less wax to make larger cells.  That is why I don't like to bring outside drawn comb to the inside.

[hollie]

Thank you for the info. Hope to look in tomorrow so will let you know what's doing..