Empty frame

[sean]

Hi, morning to everyone. I had a look at my hives yestrday and realized that one was very crowded(a lot of bees on the outside). Had no empty boxes or frames. I eventually got one box but no frames as the stores were closed. i put the empty box on as a super will this delay any potential swarming until tomorrow? secondly, how does one exactly tell when your hive needs splitting
thirdly we seem to have a wax shortage what are the disadvantages of putting unwaxed frames in the hives. thanks for any advice/help

[Brian D. Bray]

Your problem is exactly why using slatted racks are a good idea.  If you leave the empty super in place for more than a day or 2 the bees will begin building burr comb helter skelter.  See my current article at www.beekeepersvoice.com/articles/bray for info on the slatted rack.

[Michael Bush]

Had no empty boxes or frames. I eventually got one box but no frames as the stores were closed. i put the empty box on as a super will this delay any potential swarming until tomorrow? secondly, how does one exactly tell when your hive needs splitting

Swarm cells are the only reason I think they "need" splitting.  Anytime before that they need the brood nest open and room in the supers.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm

>thirdly we seem to have a wax shortage what are the disadvantages of putting unwaxed frames in the hives. thanks for any advice/help

I think it's a great advantage to not use foundation:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#naturalcellsize

Just put some kind of guide in.  A strip of wood.  A triangular piece of wood.  If you have SOME foundation you can cut starter strips.

[sean]

thanks i have a lot more reading to do. don't think we have any slatted racks here but will be researching it some more. thanks again