Bees ignoring a super

[aj180949]

Hi,
On a number of occasions I tried to add a super with just foundation or foundation strips, not a drawn comb for the lack of it, but the bees were most unwilling to move in even if quite crowded in boxes below and at a time of good forage and favourable weather. Is there a trick to make them move to a box added on top?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Never had a problem if the frames were truly stuffed with brood and were was a flow on but maybe you could just take the excluder away for a few days

 

[enrico]

Beg borrow or steal one frame that is drawn and put it in there. It helps

 

[madasafish]

I move frames already drawn and filled into the centre to encourage movement. Two separated by undrawn/empty works

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Bees will only draw foundation when they have to and they would usually rather extend existing comb. Sooner or later they will draw the foundation when they have no other option - once they start you're OK.

 

[polymath]

Hi,
On a number of occasions I tried to add a super with just foundation or foundation strips, not a drawn comb for the lack of it, but the bees were most unwilling to move in even if quite crowded in boxes below and at a time of good forage and favourable weather. Is there a trick to make them move to a box added on top?

if there is a QE between the new box and the brood then yes have seen it several times take off QE, bees move up and then put back week later, making sure Queen is downstairs, with Super to Super sure as above bees only use what they need and if possible put a drawn frame in there to encourage movement up

 

[aj180949]

Thank you to all that offered their kind advice. I guess that I will have to wait until the bees run out of space. Many thanks again.