Partially capped frames

[Ian_G]

Hi all. Due to a unite in the summer I've been left with a national deep with around 8 partially filled, partially capped stores frames. I tired to encourage the bees to move the stores down for winter with some crown boards and an eke but they werent interested.

Is there anything i can do with them? Is it possible to store these frames?

 

[Ian123]

Hi you could have done a quick shake test and extracted with the rest of the crop. Or even do it now if you wish. If you intend to store the best place is a freezer if you have the space, frames can be bruised and used in spring.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi all. Due to a unite in the summer I've been left with a national deep with around 8 partially filled, partially capped stores frames. I tired to encourage the bees to move the stores down for winter with some crown boards and an eke but they werent interested.

Is there anything i can do with them? Is it possible to store these frames?

Extract and eat.
If it’s high in water content dispense it into 1litre tubs ( incredibly useful) and put in freezer to use when needed

 

[Ian_G]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ericbeaumont]

encourage the bees to move the stores down for winter

When did you try this, Ian?

 

[Ian_G]

When did you try this, Ian?

Towards the end of October. Left it configured that way for 2 or 3 weeks.

 

[WoodenBeam]

For future reference if you want them to clear some supers or brood frames put them under the brood box - they don’t like it there & will move it up more readily. Crystallised frames they aren’t so keen on but they will if cappings scraped and sprayed with a little water.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Towards the end of October. Left it configured that way for 2 or 3 weeks.

If ivy was in flower at that time bees wouldn't have withdrawn stores to the nest.

The cleaning of scraps is best done in the absence of a flow (and temps are high enough to bring bees above a CB hole) or under the nest as WB mentioned.

However, if you nadir scraps in late summer, make sure that wasps aren't about, entrances are much reduced and colonies are strong.