Moving undrawn frames to encourage wax drawing

[Do224]

Should you move outer frames inwards to encourage bees to draw wax?

If so, should you only move them inwards of frames with stores or should/can you move them to within the brood nest?

I have a colony with 6 central frames packed with brood and a partially drawn frame either side filled with nectar/pollen. They were in a similar state 7 days ago. Today I saw 3 empty (I think!) queen cups.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Just put the undrawn frame between the brood and the stores frame

 

[RichardK]

My second hand knowledge on this topic is that it works just fine if the colony is reasonably strong. However, it's better to put either a foundationless frame or one with just a strip into the main brood area as it's less likely to confuse the bees. One with full foundation may effectively form a break between two established frames.

 

[Swarm]

Try it in September Richard, when you're feeding. You'll get the nicest comb, all neatly drawn.

 

[pargyle]

Try it in September Richard, when you're feeding. You'll get the nicest comb, all neatly drawn.

Yes ... I tried that last year (I think it was ITLD who suggested it) and it really does work ...

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes ... I tried that last year (I think it was ITLD who suggested it) and it really does work ...

But only in a strong colony
A nuc isn’t going to do that

 

[Ian123]

But only in a strong colony
A nuc isn’t going to do that

You’ll be surprised a decent nuc fit for over wintering will draw foundation readily. If your feeling brave insert the comb into the centre of the brood area, instant extra winter bees!!

 

[rolande]

Agree with @Ian123, we've been doing this September comb drawing stuff since ITLD started writing about it and have seen great combs drawn in everything from half shallow frame mating nucs to modified dadant broods. The size of the unit is irrelevant so long as the colony is well suited to it and healthy.

In this case I think @Swarm was replying to RichardK about putting a foundationless frame in, in which case his comment "You'll get the nicest comb" echos @Norton's advice on this forum from years ago and again, we wasted no time in testing the idea; just as he'd said, beautiful combs without a drone cell in sight.... but these do benefit from being in or right next to the brood.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You’ll be surprised a decent nuc fit for over wintering will draw foundation readily. If your feeling brave insert the comb into the centre of the brood area, instant extra winter bees!!

This time of year?
Sorry I missed the september bit
I’ve done that after Murray’s suggestion

 

[Erichalfbee]

…. sorry not awake

 

[RichardK]

Try it in September Richard, when you're feeding. You'll get the nicest comb, all neatly drawn.

I actually had a go 2 weeks ago. Although I'd previously tried swopping the outer frame with it's neighbour (so 10 with 9 in a 10 frame BB) 10 days ago I tried moving a frame with a 1/3 strip into the middle of the brood box - position 6/10. The reasoning was having found a few queen cups I wanted to give the queen more laying space quickly to try and knock any ideas of swarming on the head ... if there were any (queen cups empty by the way).

After 7 days here's how the frame looked and the queen was already laying in it. Will be interesting to see it this weekend - 2 weeks in.



Will have to try when feeding later in the year too - I naively assumed that getting comb drawn later in the year was not likely as the colony would be contracting - thanks for the tip!

 

[Swarm]

The beauty with September is as Rolande mentions, free from drone cells. It's the only time of the year they don't want the boys around

 

[RichardK]

The beauty with September is as Rolande mentions, free from drone cells. It's the only time of the year they don't want the boys around

You know I didn't pick up on the 'no drone' bit - that's nice.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Will they still draw comb if I'm feeding fondant? I've had them draw when I feed syrup but now I tend to feed fondant as it's easier for out apiaries.

 

[RichardK]

I l

Will they still draw comb if I'm feeding fondant? I've had them draw when I feed syrup but now I tend to feed fondant as it's easier for out apiaries.

I love your sign off - if only everyone followed those 'rules'.

 

[madasafish]

Will they still draw comb if I'm feeding fondant? I've had them draw when I feed syrup but now I tend to feed fondant as it's easier for out apiaries.

Yes.
I feed nucs fondant specifially to help with drawing foundation. Afraid to use syrup at present due to risk of robbing.