Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[What Now?]

The colony in my Warre survived the winter. At present it is a very small colony. I have 2 boxes. They are busy in the top one. The bottom one is full of 'comb' with very little activity there in.

The question is: Should this bottom one be left just as it is, or should i swap it with an empty one so they can start making fresh comb for the new season?

Thanks.

[catchercradle]

I would leave the comb and once they have built up enough to have a lot of activity in the bottom box, then add a third.

[ingo50]

They have invested a lot of work building comb in the bottom box, making them start all over will be a setback, they should move down when they are ready. I assume that you have not lost bees via a swarm.

[barshambees]

My warre hive had been on one box filled with comb and one empty box underneath since I hived a swarm in it last spring. I thought they were never going to go down to the empty one. Now, in the last three weeks they have filled it with comb and eggs and brood..... all of a sudden. I have just put a third underneath as well now. Seems like they will fill it when it suits.

[AugustC]

if the comb in the bottom box is completely empty then you "could" take out a few combs and put them in the middle of a third box ready in case they build up enough to want a third box. The comb helps them move down more readily.