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honey comb construction problem

1850 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  tecumseh
Hey guys - I need some advise. I mentioned this on one of my earlier posts, but I need your input. I put a top feeder on that swarm I caught back in the spring and the bees have built up into the middle of the top feeder instead of going out into the frames of the hive body. I have left it on all summer and have added syrup so I felt that if they couldn't go up they would be forced to build out and into the hive body. I would like to get into the hive body and see what's going on before fall sets in but that would mean I would have to tear the comb from the feeder. If you think I should go ahead and do this should I 1: set the feeder apart and let them and the other bees rob it and put a new feeder on for now or 2: should I set the feeder back on the hive and let the bees fix it after I check on them.. OR 3: should I just leave well enough alone for the winter and feed the heck out of these guys and not worry about what is going on underneath the feeder??? I do see a lot of activity from the bee entrance. I have kept the entrance reduced since it is a small hive because I was afraid my larger ones would rob them to death.

Also - I still have a super on my hives and when I checked them last weekend they are still working honey since hardly any of it was capped. We have been fortunate enough to keep getting rains around here so there is still some out there for the bees. So what should I do with these late supers???

So TWO questions for you experts! I so appreciate the great advise I have got from you before. This bee forum is a blessing to those of us who are new at this business! :D
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Thanks so much guys for your great advise. I'll do that. I just had no idea how to separate that without killing a lot of bees and really messing things up. I'll wait a while and then get into the hive and give them a good sugar shaking and put the feeder back on because I am sure I will have to feed these guys - oops - ladies during the winter and early spring. Next spring when things start to move again I will take it off and add another hive body because I hope by then they are ready to start building to a larger hive of bees.

AND thanks for the advise on the supers. I really didn't want to take the honey from them and as the cool weather sets in I'll gladly let them store it down below. I guess I will just keep an eye on the supers, and when they are cleaned out remove them??

This forum has been a blessing to people like me. THANK YOU for having it!!! AND it's so nice to be able to talk to REAL BEE people!
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