Patty wrote:
 
> will it be over-burdensome for the bees to have
> to build all new comb prior to honey making?  i.e., will I still get a
 
> good honey harvest?
> Are there any special steps I need to take in this matter?
>
 
       Bees are good at comb-building; they do it for a living.
       You might want to try this:
       Add the first honey super just before it is needed.  Where I live
 
that is mid-April, at apple blossom time.  Too early is better than too
late.
       Then add subsequent supers as the previous ones approach being
fully
drawn out from foundation into comb.  Bees will ask for additional
supers by
laying down narrow lines of new, white wax on the top edges of the
frames.
       Put the wax foundation into the frames just before you put the
supers
on the bees. This keeps the foundation from warping.  Warped foundation
makes uneven comb. (Plastic foundation does not warp.)
       Honey storage by the bees depends on the population of the colony
and
the supply of nectar.
       If you treat your bees well and they have a successful spring,
they
will probably swarm.  Swarming is a sign of a healthy and successful
colony.  Preventing bees from swarming is the subject for another book's
 
worth of messages!
Tim
--
Tim Sterrett
[log in to unmask]
(southeastern) Pennsylvania, USA
40.0 N 75.5 W