When to add honey supers

Discussion and questions.
Post Reply
scopanas
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:45 pm

When to add honey supers

Post by scopanas » Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:55 pm

Hi,

When should I add honey supers in the Spring? I have 2 strong hives and normally add supers when the nectar flow is on but recently read that it is a good practice to add them early so the hive will expand, send more foragers and be comfortable (not swarm). What practices have worked for you? Should I add a supper now, 2 weeks from now or 2 weeks ago?

Thanks,

Scott

donstu
Posts: 63
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:29 am

Re: When to add honey supers

Post by donstu » Sat Apr 06, 2013 7:18 pm

Now. ... dons

Backyard Bees
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:52 am

Re: When to add honey supers

Post by Backyard Bees » Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:38 pm

We like to wait 'til just a little later in the season when we've had more time to inspect and see what they're doing queen-wise. I've lost count of the number of times we've supered up early only to have to break the whole thing down after a swarm cycle. I know the books say early supering helps with swarming though I haven't always found that to be the case. It'd be interesting to see some numbers on this ...
Backyard Bees
P.O. Box 7426
Boulder, Colorado 80306
http://www.BackyardBees.com

Post Reply