What to do?

[tbonekel]

Okay, this is really my first year to overwinter full hives and I think I left too much honey on. I checked today and there is a full deep of honey on top and they are getting pretty full of brood, pollen and honey in the bottom. I'm thinking about removing all but about 3 or 4 honey frames out of the top and putting empties in. I don't have really any empty, drawn comb to speak of. I guess if I put foundation, then I need to feed for them to draw, right. I don't want them to fill any empty comb with sugar water. I'm afraid that's what will happen.

[Jen]

Hi tbone- I'm in the same spot as you. Just asked this question last week. Are your bees bringing in a good amount of nectar yet?

[LazyBkpr]

WHat Jen asked...

   If your bees are on a good flow they will draw wax...
   You can extract those frames, and put them back on the hives the next day, or let them draw new frames out..    If you want to feed, go ahead and feed, but once they get those frames well started,, three or four of them ready, then pull the feed..
   Another trick Iddee once stated, was to use feeder jars with only three or four small holes in them, as opposed to the jar lids with 20 plus holes..  it means they still get some syrup, but not enough to store, so they use it all to feed and to make wax with..

[tbonekel]

I'm not seeing very much, if any fresh nectar yet, but lots of pollen. One thing I failed to mention is that I don't have an extractor, so I have to crush and strain everything. Bummer, right? Anyway, maybe I can invest in something like that sometime, but right now, not an option.

[LazyBkpr]

Well, there ya go..  Feed, use few holes to keep them from storing it.  If you have a great flow they will draw the wax anyhow, its just a waste of natural nectar to use it to make more wax. With only a few holes they should not store any of the syrup, but because bees will be bees, I wouldnt leave the syrup on them longer than necessary.

[iddee]

Freeze the full frames and put another super on.