simonorchard
New Bee
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2010
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Kilburn, London
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 2
Can anyone advise please. The answer will no doubt depend on the size of my colonies, but I'm trying to get an idea of how many frames of stores on 14x12 will be enough for my colonies.
Currently I have two colonies as a result of an artificial swarm in May. So they are not huge. But both have pretty much completely filled and capped all brood frames with stores where there is no brood. One colony has no super on, and one has a half filled super which I am just about to take off.
From looking it would seem like the 14x12s are approx double the size of a standard super frame so therefore twice the weight - so 5 full frames of 14X12 is approx the weight of a full super with 10 frames. Any advice greatly appreciated.
And a second question If I may: If the hives are left with no supers, and the brood chamber is completely full with brood and stores - where will the bees store any nectar that they are still bringing in over the next month or so. I know the forage isn't good but surely they are still bringing in some nectar?
many thanks
Currently I have two colonies as a result of an artificial swarm in May. So they are not huge. But both have pretty much completely filled and capped all brood frames with stores where there is no brood. One colony has no super on, and one has a half filled super which I am just about to take off.
From looking it would seem like the 14x12s are approx double the size of a standard super frame so therefore twice the weight - so 5 full frames of 14X12 is approx the weight of a full super with 10 frames. Any advice greatly appreciated.
And a second question If I may: If the hives are left with no supers, and the brood chamber is completely full with brood and stores - where will the bees store any nectar that they are still bringing in over the next month or so. I know the forage isn't good but surely they are still bringing in some nectar?
many thanks