Double brood national.

[JC47]

I have a colony that was very strong going into winter in a single brood national and I am considering increasing to double brood next spring.
How do I alter the arrangement, do I put the second brood box beneath or above the existing brood box and are there likely to be any problems ?

 

[domino]

I move some frames of broad up to the new box on top that that seems to work well.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes you can do that and feed to get the frames drawn but if you put the new box under you can let the bees move at their own pace. They will move down for new comb and fill the top box with honey if the space is too much

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

or just ignore the space and swarm

 

[REDWOOD]

People usually double brood after they have gone into swarm mode, which is two weeks before they make any queen cells, get the timing right and there shouldn't be any problems

 

[Curley]

Dazed, bewildered and confused

Well, as this is the beginners forum, and as I don't know the answer, I will ask the question.

after they have gone into swarm mode, which is two weeks before they make any queen cells

How do you spot that?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bees will start reducing the size of the brood nest and you will see backfilling of the brood cells with nectar. If you see this in the swarming season you have to be on your toes. Adding a super may not stop them. They are not honey bound they are preparing to swarm.

 

[Curley]

Thanks Erica - have seen that before but not linked it with swarm preparations - forewarned is forearmed.

 

[Poly Hive]

Ok so you have a colony which is driving forwards and you know this as each inspection there is more and more frames of brood.

When mine are on 8 frames and prepping the others for the Q to lay up I put the 2nd brood box under the current one and super over an excluder.

My method of swarm control is when they start to slow off and yes back fill the nest then I split them in four (or more sometimes) and let them get on with it.

Then pick the best of the queens and re-unite or sell off.

PH

 

[Eyeman]

My method of swarm control is when they start to slow off and yes back fill the nest then I split them in four (or more sometimes) and let them get on with it.

If you raise your own queens and have locally adapted bees then its common to see the queen vary her laying rate subject to income etc. Whenever she reduces her laying rate the bees will backfill the brood area. So not a reliable sign of swarm preps.

 

[Poly Hive]

Didn't claim it was and I quite agree it can be very deceptive.

The one sure sign of swarm intent is a grub in a queen cup.

PH

 

[Erichalfbee]

If you raise your own queens and have locally adapted bees then its common to see the queen vary her laying rate subject to income etc. Whenever she reduces her laying rate the bees will backfill the brood area. So not a reliable sign of swarm preps.

Indeed. These signs have to be taken in context and not on their own