I have inherited a couple of hives form a beekeeper who has moved out of area.
I have been told that all of the brood box frames are on standard foundation, and there is not a 'drone frame'.
Is not having drone frame a problem? If you don't have larger foundation for the bees to raise drones in do they just make do and enlarge standard worker cells as required, or do they squeeze the drones into the cells that they have, or do they make additional comb on below the frames on the bottom bars?
I am tempted to add a frame of larger foundation to the brood box (I see that Thornes sell drone base foundation)
I have been told that all of the brood box frames are on standard foundation, and there is not a 'drone frame'.
Is not having drone frame a problem? If you don't have larger foundation for the bees to raise drones in do they just make do and enlarge standard worker cells as required, or do they squeeze the drones into the cells that they have, or do they make additional comb on below the frames on the bottom bars?
I am tempted to add a frame of larger foundation to the brood box (I see that Thornes sell drone base foundation)
- is this standard practice?
- I understand it can help with Varroa control - how is that best done?
- where in the brood box is it best to place this frame?