8 Tricks To Encourage Your Bees To Build More Comb EVEN IN JULY! #beekeeping

We all know a hives first year is spent building out the comb and not being able to harvest any honey. But what if I told you there were some tricks you can use to get your bees to build out the hive faster? Here are some of the tips and tricks I am using to encourage my bees to build out their hives quicker :)

honey comb, build up, beekeeping 101, beekeeping, beekeepers, tips and tricks for beekeepers, summer build up, beehive

0:00 Introduction
0:13 HOW DO BEES MAKE WAX?
1:25 FEED SUGAR
1:56 TEMPS 70-95
5:14 SPRAY EMPTY FRAMES WITH SUGAR WATER
6:08 FLIP FRAMES
7:57 PLACE HONEY FRAMES IN BROOD BOX FOR 2-3 DAYS
10:09 TAKE OFF ALL HONEY SUPERS

[CastleHives]

Enjoyed the video. Was great having you on the stream. We’ll have to line up another time and have you on again.

[donaldmckie]

Really like the way you think and explain different situations that can solve bee problems.

[R_an_D]

Don't be swayed by some of the overly negative comments. Your management techniques are producing healthy, productive colonies by encouraging the bees to do what bees normally do, only better.

[CWsooner]

I'm an experienced beekeeper and you were pretty much spot on. You could also feed any hive sugar water/ a honey bee healthy type feed that doesn't have a honey box on it. I've had them build out comb in the fall feeding that formula in spite of the local beekeepers saying they won't build out comb that late in the year. LOL

[rldraehn]

Very clear about why comb building in honey supers is very very different than comb building in the hive box. Thank you!!!

[GraemeGosse]

Thank you. Your way of explaining is wonderful.
I'm a new Beek but I recently did what you covered here because my hive had over 9 frames of honey in the brood box and a small patch of brood (late winter here in Australia) so I wanted to create more space for her majesty to get laying
If she doesn't get cracking soon, I'll have to incite a revolution and replace her

[orymarrioneaux]

This is my first year with bees however I have been taking classes for more than 2 years. My priority this year has been building comb. My temperatures have been ideal in the mid-'90s. Have screen bottom boards as well as place the hive in the shade. Your video is timely and very informative. Luckily, I have been fortunate and doing many of your recommended things. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[squaredawayacres]

I freakin love seeing someone on YT wearing gear. Thank YOU!

[edwardredlich]

This was helpful about rearranging the frames in bottom box. Thanks! 🐝

[scottreese]

Alot of nuggets in a short video, awesome, I can stay on top with short but packed info videos. Thanks, and keep up the great work.

[alexn]

Great video explaining checkerboarding! I do all deeps in my apiary. It makes it easier to store everything and its much cheaper to stock up on hive components like frames because I can buy in bulk. I noticed that a lot of times my bees would rather build comb on top of the frames instead of outwards in the single deep. I think it has something to do with bees wanting to instinctually build comb in a circle and not a square like they do in nature. So I add another deep box on top as soon as temps stop dropping below 50F at night. As they build up they fill out the bottom box because in nature they need to build the top first to support the bottom of the circle. To encourage them to move up into the top box I take a frame of capped brood from the middle and move it to the top box. I check back a week later and if they haven't started drawing comb in the bottom deep yet then I checker board. If its warm enough when I first add the second box then I do some lite checkerboarding then too but conditions have to be perfect for that because I don't want to stress them out too much.

[rohumco]

Thanks for the tips. This addresses a problem that I did not know how to solve but your checkerboarding idea is creative and sensible. Good video.

[bobfanning]

CONGRATULAYIONS on a really good video. You made a very valuable point that I have seen many “proclaimed to be” experienced beekeepers videos ignoring and that is placing both drawn and foundation frames in a production super. You are dead right and totally accurate in that alternating drawn comb frames with foundation frames is a no, no in the production supers. That will almost always cause very thin foundation-based frames and very thick drawn comb frames. Again, you are right in that this only matters in production supers and is not of much concern in the brood chamber. Again, congratulations on a very, very good video. Keep them coming.

[SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm really enjoying your channel! Thanks so much for the tips. I didn't realise that checkering in the honey super wasn't recommended!

[JamesCrouchX]

Thank you so much. I had not heard much nor considered the temperature in regard to comb building!

[beekeepingnortheast]

I use this technique. Works well and combs are ready in a week...if the frame is on the edge than it takes about a month. During nectar flow here, the combs get ready in 3 days only. We keep Asian honeybees. Likes from India.

[jesseyates]

Very informative video mostly concise😉 I always learned something from you! Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us!

[BlackMountainHoney]

Great video! Lots of effort been put into this video and it shows. Best of luck on your YouTube adventure!

[Hennydude]

Great presentation and information! You gained another subscriber! Thanks for sharing

[msbeehaven-tom]

Just found your channel and subbed. Good info. I’m on my third year and have a lot to learn.