supers

Local question related to beekeeping in the Piedmont Triad area asked and answered here!

Moderators: Jacobs, Wally

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drewgrim
Guard bee
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:26 pm

supers

Post by drewgrim »

has anypne added supers yet? what does everyone look for to know when to super? my hives are full but could be fuller it seems.
Wally
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Post by Wally »

80% full, or 8 out of 10 frames full, is when you add another box.
drewgrim
Guard bee
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:26 pm

Post by drewgrim »

full of bees, pollen, brood, or honey? last year they were new so as they drew out the frames they became full so it was easy to tell how full they were. but this year i have all drawn out frames so it kind of hard to tell how full they are.
Jacobs
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Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:36 pm
Location: Greensboro, NC

Post by Jacobs »

I think Wally was giving you the answer for undrawn foundation. If you have drawn comb and are looking to super up for the flow I would think you could put the super on now as long as it was not brood comb before or you have enough bees or other wax moth precautions to prevent comb damage if the bees don't show an interest in the super just yet. I have seen where other beekeepers may put several supers of drawn comb on a hive in anticipation of the flow so that they don't inhibit the bees filling them up when the flow starts. If this is what you were asking about, I hope this helps.
Wally
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 2:35 pm
Location: Randleman

Post by Wally »

Go through the frames. If you have 6 empty frames of drawn comb, don't super. If most frames are full, "of anything", then super. If you have supers of drawn comb, you can put 2 on. If foundation, 1 only.
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