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Date: | Mon, 6 Jan 1997 21:27:37 -0500 |
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>
> My experience is that the comb is drawn almost immediately, in the center
of
> the nest, and that the Queen uses it. It is unusual for it to be used
for
> honey storage. However, I still wonder if I am holding back the Queen.
> This frame replacement occurs whenever we remove frames of brood so the
> colonies are always strong. I am beginning to feel that foundation might
be
> damaging and now I am beginning to wonder if an empty but drawn comb
might
> also be damaging.
>
If the foundation is placed in the center of the brood nest and flow stops
suddenly, I have seen it become like a barrier so that the bees work only
one side of the hive before beginning to draw it out. When this happens
the queen is now effectively laying in a four or five frame nuc. I do
however recommend this method when the colony is extremely strong early in
the flow and the weather remains good. If periods of prolonged rain or
extreme cold occur, I go in and move underway foundation further out.
This way the bees can use what little nectar they are getting to raise
brood instead of drawing comb.
Frank Humphrey
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