Protocol for the use of foundation

Properly drawn foundation will last for many years. To obtain well-drawn combs, follow these basic rules:

• Bees will draw foundation only when two conditions are met. There must be a lack of empty cells in the nest, and there must be a strong nectar flow in progress. Never add foundation during a dearth.
  
• When adding 1 or 2 frames with foundation, place them in the upper brood chamber or in the first honey super above the queen excluder. They may be placed together or separately in between drawn combs. Do not place them in the bottom brood chamber or on the outside of the upper brood chamber or honey supers. When adding more than 2 frames with foundation, keep the frames in a block near the center of the hive body.
  
• When adding an entire super of foundation, start with 10 frames centered in the super and pressed tightly against one another. Place the super on top of the upper brood chamber and below the queen excluder. You may bait the super with 1-2 drawn combs in the center of the super to encourage the bees to work the foundation. Once the bees have drawn out the foundation about 1/3 of the way, you may raise the super above the queen excluder. Be sure that you do not raise the queen or uncapped brood above the excluder or the colony may raise a queen. Once the foundation is well drawn, but well before it is filled with honey and capped, you may remove 1 - 2 combs and equalize the space between the remaining 8 - 9 combs. This will result in fatter combs that will be easier to uncap.
  
• Do not add more than one super of foundation at a time.
  
• Foundation is best added during the major spring/summer nectar flows. Limit the use of foundation in the fall.