Spring Super Timing

[keito]

After inspecting my hives for the first time this year I found that they have survived the Winter. The number of bees was truly amazing to me. This is my second year and I was wondering if I should just go ahead and add the supers or am I supposed to wait awhile. Anything I should be looking for?
Thanks for the help!!

[gov1623]

Im a good bit further south of you and I added supers to most of my hives about two weeks ago. We are in a good flow right now with blackberry clovers and willow blooming.  If your hive has a strong population and starting to bring in nectar than it is time for a super.

[Finski]

Anything I should be looking for?

It depends, how the colony grows and how it needs new room.

It it has too much room, it is difficult to defend the hive.

.

[Moots]

It depends, how the colony grows and how it needs new room.

It it has too much room, it is difficult to defend the hive.

Finski,
I realize there are many potential problems with adding supers too quickly and reasons one wants to avoid doing so.  However, I'm not sure I understand how adding a Super makes the hive more difficult to defend. I thought that would be something determined exclusively, or should I say, mostly by the size of your hive entrance. 

What am I missing?  :?

[Joe D]

How full are the frames with honey and brood and how much room does the bees have.  Are they in 8 or 10 frame boxes, single or double, deep or mediums.  If they are anywhere close to to being full, then add a super. 




Joe

[Dimmsdale]

If there aren't enough bees to effectively cover the majority of the comb you provide, SHB can sometimes take hold?

[hardwood]

The easy answer? When you start to see white wax.

Scott