Comb change

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Gaz1

House Bee
Joined
Apr 16, 2016
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Location
Cornwall
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
2
Not lifted the crownboard yet but I've been pushing to old comb towards the back of the hive as the brood nest contracted the plan was that older combs with stores in will be nearer the back. Now my thinking is a few of these will be low to empty is it better to take all out at once and add frames or take 1 out at a time in a rotation bases. They been busy bringing in pollen on good days so assuming it's time to pull out some old frames before they start filling them up again?
 
Cornwall... well if fairly warm there and if the old comb is empty of bees and stores then remove it. Replace with new foundation and give the bees a syrup feed to help them produce wax to draw the foundation. Needs to be about 12d+ outside for this process. ...
 
I take one out from one end and replace with new at other end. I do one on each inspection. too cold yet though
E
 
Bailey comb change and shook swarming are two methods to replace all the brood comb in one exercise. Saves a lot of messing about moving frames around.
Plenty of how to guides on google.
 
I generally find Bailey a bit tedious, and keep thinking of bees working on comb I will be dumping. Very occasionally appropriate.
If the colony strong, protect the queen initially (cage) then shake all onto new foundation and return queen. I put a queen excluder under brood box for about 3 days to discourage peed off bees absconding.
BIG 2:1 feed. Repeat feed in 1 week... they have a lot of work to do.
 
Yea been reading up for a while just wondered what most people found easier/convenient. Explore all the options you know :)
 
I take one out from one end and replace with new at other end. I do one on each inspection. too cold yet though
E

I find that works well and is much easier on the bees, i could not bring myself to shake all the bees from drawn comb all at one which gives them a hell of a lot of unneeded work to do, i did put the odd fresh frame in the middle of the brood two years ago which worked ok, however i was advised not to do it too often.
 
The big benefit, if you can bring yourself to do it, is that a complete comb change in one go eliminates bacteria being transferred from older comb to new.

Just like installing a swarm onto new. As long as you feed well with 2:1 syrup bees soon sort it all out.
 
The big benefit, if you can bring yourself to do it, is that a complete comb change in one go eliminates bacteria being transferred from older comb to new.

Just like installing a swarm onto new. As long as you feed well with 2:1 syrup bees soon sort it all out.

What about all the brood/eggs and stores that will be sacrificed, does that not set the bees back a fare bit..? .
 
There may be half a frame of BIAS, and it puts them back but the benefits of increased health is worth it - IMO. With syrup over next 2 - 3 weeks they bounce back.
Just be aware that as soon as comb is well drawn, don't pile syrup in or she will have nowhere to lay. Bit of a balancing act, but experience comes fast in this hobby!
But others will disagree and we may walk a different path. Healthy bees and decent harvest is what we strive for. Your decision..:D
 
It's up to you which method. A bailey comb change is less stressful for the bees but doesn't get rid of as many nasties. It can be done on weak colonies.

A shook swarm is a good way but don't forget to put a queen excluder under the box for safeties sake. more stressful on the bees and they loose all brood etc. Normally done when the colony is strong. Don't do it if they are weak.

It's too early to do either of these things yet so have a think.

Both methods you will have to feed them. Last one I did they had about 1 gallon to draw the frames out but there was other food around also.
People cannot agree on the feeding lol some say 1:1 others say 2:1 and some say 1.5:1. Just feed them some syrup and it will be fine.
 
If you rely on OSR as your main crop then a shook swarm in spring is likely to reduce yields. However the colony will have recovered well enough for later flows.
 

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