When to add another brood box?

[Etton]

I have two AS swarms 13th May and 21st June and a captured swarm of 10th July. All three are filling the frames in their Brood boxes ( apart from end frames) should I add a second BB (or a super?) full of foundation or limit the number of frames? I have no drawn frames.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I have two AS swarms 13th May and 21st June and a captured swarm of 10th July. All three are filling the frames in their Brood boxes ( apart from end frames) should I add a second BB (or a super?) full of foundation or limit the number of frames? I have no drawn frames.

Sounds like they are nearly ready, but you might want to move the undrawn frames inboard (of STORES, not brood) to see if you can get them drawn first. It's not a perfect indicator, but I use heavy bracecomb as an indicator of when they are (slightly over-) due. People call me on that but it's no longer peak swarm season.

 

[mazzamazda]

Sounds like they are nearly ready, but you might want to move the undrawn frames inboard (of STORES, not brood) to see if you can get them drawn first. It's not a perfect indicator, but I use heavy bracecomb as an indicator of when they are (slightly over-) due. People call me on that but it's no longer peak swarm season.

Way too late for another BB imo, unless you still have a flow, a super at best but it really depends on what you have your way and the weather, I'm already reducing my colonies.

 

[B+.]

I'm already reducing my colonies.

Me too. In my area, there is very little coming in now. Far better to consolidate and ensure they have enough stores to overwinter (unless you have a late flow in your area).

 

[Etton]

So when consolidating do you destroy one of the queens....seems a waste of stood queen?

 

[Etton]

Meant to say...waste of a good queen!

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I have two AS swarms 13th May and 21st June and a captured swarm of 10th July. All three are filling the frames in their Brood boxes ( apart from end frames) should I add a second BB (or a super?) full of foundation or limit the number of frames? I have no drawn frames.

What's in flower in E Yorkshire? Are you near heather? Do you know the Starks?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

What's in flower in E Yorkshire? Are you near heather? Do you know the Starks?

Plenty of fireweed, balsam coming on stream, bloody ragwort running riot. Plus a variety of urban forage in gardens etc. Mine are finding lots to go at.

 

[Motobiman]

Plenty of fireweed, balsam coming on stream, bloody ragwort running riot. Plus a variety of urban forage in gardens etc. Mine are finding lots to go at.

Here in Sussex I still have loads of pollen coming in.

 

[YorkshireBees]

I have two AS swarms 13th May and 21st June and a captured swarm of 10th July. All three are filling the frames in their Brood boxes ( apart from end frames) should I add a second BB (or a super?) full of foundation or limit the number of frames? I have no drawn frames.

What are they filling the frames with Brood or stores?

Makes a big difference to the advice.

 

[mazzamazda]

What are they filling the frames with Brood or stores?

Makes a big difference to the advice.

Agreed!

I'd say you need a good reason for double brood as its a pain and not always good for winter as if you need to reduce in the cold it isnt good. I tried a few over winter and they all needed less space. I run 2 frame nucs, nearly a hundred for this purpose, dont throw away the queen, put her in a nuc with 2 or in your case, 3 frames, you might need her or you will easily sell her later on when everyone seems to need them. I dont kill good queens.