Removing old brood frames

[Do224]

I want to remove an old brood frame that currently has brood in it. Can I just swap it with an outer frame at the edge of the bb and wait for the brood to emerge before removing?

 

[pargyle]

I want to remove an old brood frame that currently has brood in it. Can I just swap it with an outer frame at the edge of the bb and wait for the brood to emerge before removing?

Yes ... then when the brood has emerged replace it with a new frame - good time of year to get them drawing new brood frames.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

move it towards the edge of the brood cluster, not completely away from the rest of the brood.

 

[Do224]

Yes ... then when the brood has emerged replace it with a new frame - good time of year to get them drawing new brood frames.

Would I need to feed to encourage them to draw…if so would it need to be 1:1 as opposed to the 2:1 that I’m intending to give them in a couple of weeks?

 

[enrico]

Would I need to feed to encourage them to draw…if so would it need to be 1:1 as opposed to the 2:1 that I’m intending to give them in a couple of weeks?

doesn't really matter. They won't draw it if they don't need it but if you are feeding them they will draw it to store the food

 

[Erichalfbee]

doesn't really matter. They won't draw it if they don't need it but if you are feeding them they will draw it to store the food

If you put the new frame in the middle of the brood the bees fill it with more bees

 

[Curly green finger's]

If you put the new frame in the middle of the brood the bees fill it with more bees

Or pollen and honey

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or pollen and honey

Mine never have

 

[pargyle]

Or pollen and honey

Not in the middle of the brood nest they won't ... on the periphery perhaps.

 

[ericbeaumont]

Mine never have

Mine do.

We're told not to split the nest, but bees do it when they want to and this year mine have often filled those frames with pollen and honey.

Do I fiddle and move them to the edge of the nest? No, I let them be.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Or pollen and honey

Only seen that happen slap bang in the middle of a heavy flow, and then, only pollen (which makes sense really) never seen it at the end of the season.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Only seen thatc happen slap bang in the middle of a heavy flow, and then, only pollen (which makes sense really) never seen it at the end of the season.

Which is why it’s a good ruse to get more brood in fresh combs at this time of year.