frames, its quite complicated

[Cuckmere couple]

so

3 hives preparing for winter, all are pretty full of bees - all 11 frames currently look pretty full of bees but i now need to feed

- Do I need to make space to allow for insulation
- I probably need to move some frames as part of frame replacement – some are probably in their 3rd year
- I need to make space for frames of stores (currently in freezer)

Question is, how do I figure out the best ones to remove etc as they are all I different stages some with brood, some with some stores etc and should I be doing this before feeding as they’re likely to fill up the gaps that I may need want left if im removing frames

How do people plan and decide?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Time for clattering around in the brood box moving and replacing frames is well past.
Frames need replacing when they get and look old and manky - not set by some arbitary timetable.
If they have stores in - why remove them to replace with frames containing stores?
If they have brood in, they need leaving alone.
The brood nest will be contracting shortly, as brood vacate, bees will replace with stores.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

great....so i dont have to frett

will just keep feeding

is a rapid feeder too small i.e. not allowing enough bees to access at once or is it ok.....i have the wider feeder types and wonder if i should be using this at this time of year...the rapid feeder seemed a bit congested with so many bees getting to it

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

depends on the size of the feeder - the larger the better.
As for insulation - a slab of 40mm celotex insulation under the roof is sufficient.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

cheers...have got the insulation for the roof, have frames of cellotex too in case needed

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

handy if you have a small colony with wasted space