A small hive I got from a bird house continues to languish. I know that cold weather will turn off brood production and can cause them to abort brood. I also know that once that point is reached, they usually drive out the drones. Not this one. Its lousy with drones. After 15 years in South FL, I think I could add up all the cold days from all previous winters and they wouldn't exceed what we've had this winter. We're actually getting WINTER this year. So, why so many drones? In an attempt to get this weak hive built up and to kill 2 birds with one stone, I moved this "nuc" hive to act as a trap hive in a trapout (On Saturday). Today I checked it and found lots of new ladies on the combs. Even with the influx of newbees there is still a disproportionate number of drones in the hive. A few weeks before I moved them, I put in a foundationed frame that the wax moths had eaten a big hole in the center. They repaired it, but made it into drone comb. Now the drones are going gang-busters. I know drones have a huge appetite and eat the stores up, so they drive them off in winter. This weak hive has lots of pollen/bee bread, but has eaten up all the syrup they stored from my feedings. They still had some a week ago. I know the excess drones aren't helping. I've never seen so many drones in one hive in my life! My question is, should I start killing off the drones to reduce the drag on the food supply, and should I remove the frame that has lots of drone comb on it?
Kelly