Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Drafty]

Hi,

I installed a swarm into a new hive about 6 weeks ago. In the first 4 weeks they 90% filled 6 bars and about 15% of the 7th bar, with 5 more empty bars to the follower. Over the last couple of weeks they seem to have stopped building new comb and there is a lot of activity on the first six bars but not on the part built 7th bar. Is this normal behavior? I haven't seen any brood yet but I have seen the queen. There has been lots of activity and a good amount of pollen is being brought into the hive. I am hoping that they will restart comb building once the brood begin to emerge, or am I missing something.

Thanks, Andy

[Barbara]

Perfectly normal behaviour.
Building comb is a young bee's job. The bees that came in the swarm are now getting older and it is harder for them to produce and work wax. They also need to rear brood and forage and of course, they only have a limited life span, so once they get enough comb built for a brood nest they stop until the next generation hatch out and continue the construction work.

[Drafty]

Thanks Again Barbara,

Thought it may be something like that, but self doubt crept in again.

Andy

[ingo50]

Andy they have built their new home and are furnishing it now!

[Drafty]

Thats ok but i'd wish they would get on and stock the larder