Too late to add frames with foundation?

[TonyPayne]

I have two national 14 x 12 hives which are half full with frames. I was going to combine them but then thought I could keep both hives separate and add some frames and foundation for them to draw and fill with feed if it isn't too late. Can anybody please give me their opinion?

Thanks,
Tony

 

[JWF]

It's too late for them to draw out a lot of frames IMO.

Either combine, or keep the two colonies separate but dummy the hives down with Celotex or Recticel so they don't have too much space to keep warm. If there's any chance of them drawing out a frame at this late stage then they're more likely to do it in a dummied down hive with only 1 extra frame to draw.

 

[TonyPayne]

Thanks,

I will add one frame to each and put dummy boards on. I was a bit worried about the colonies not being large enough to support itself over the winter.

 

[drex]

The real crux of the matter is how many frames of bees are there in the hives. That is what would inform my decision . State of brood and stores also a consideration