Thanks for your response.
I just think they need another brood box because that's what I've been told. No, they are not crowded right now. They are all in the middle of the box, working on building and such.
Yes I do want to stay with the original manufacturer, unless I decide to make some boxes myself.
I don't like the cheap pine boxes and see that cypress is offered as well. I'm thinking of using cypress boxes. I didn't have time to paint or even glue up the box I bought as it was an all day trip for me to go and get it for them. So I put it together and got them in there as soon as I could. I have it set up right now in an open sided out building so it won't get rained on. At some point I will need to figure the best time to move them to a more permanent location. I can wait until winter if that's better for them.
So since you asked, here are a few questions.
How do the cypress boxes hold up over time, and do they need any finish applied?
Should I get some honey supers to put over the brood box?
Do I need another brood box now or should I wait and see how they do?
What are the pros and cons to a foundationless frame?
We would like to do everything as naturally as possible. I considered leaving the bees alone where they were but since they were in the roadway that seemed risky for them so I decided to move them. I'm open to any and all advise.
Thanks!
Bill
Bill,
As I mentioned, a lot of this is new to me, but I'll give my 2 cents and sure others will jump in. You'll learn quickly, there isn't one definitive right way to do anything in beekeeping, my advice is to collect any and all opinions and find what works for you.
As for the additional brood box...At some point, assuming your colony survives and grows, you will need it. But not now, as a general rule, you don't want to give the bees more space than they need. Doing so, makes the space harder for them to defend against SHB's, wax moths, etc. etc.
I build my own boxes out of #2 pine, prime and paint all exposed areas with a quality latex paint. I have no experience with cypress boxes but know the quality of the wood, so no doubt they are better :)....and therefore more expensive. :(
Whatever you go with, I'm a huge believer in using glue...Titebond III is what I use, others think Titebond II is more than sufficient.
As for finish, so paint, some do nothing, some wax dip or use other dip style treatments.
Be aware that if you move your bees relatively short distances you have to hang a branch or something over their entrance to help them re-orient to the new location. Michael Bush's website speaks to this.
Foundationless...what kathy said....maybe later, not now!