Illinois Super?

Ronnie Elliott · February 10, 2008, 11:47:26 AM

If I convert all my deeps to Illinois supers, how many do you over winter in?

reinbeau · February 10, 2008, 01:48:00 PM

We use three mediums here for the brood nest over the winter. Most up around here do the same. You're in Texas, much warmer than here - don't most down there overwinter in one deep and maybe a shallow or medium? It's what I saw in North Carolina. Just wondering....

Michael Bush · February 10, 2008, 05:54:31 PM

>If I convert all my deeps to Illinois supers, how many do you over winter in?

Since people overwinter in different numbers in different places it's hard to say, but three mediums equals two deeps. So if you were using two deeps, I'd use three mediums.

Brian D. Bray · February 12, 2008, 02:57:33 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on February 10, 2008, 05:54:31 PM
>If I convert all my deeps to Illinois supers, how many do you over winter in?

Since people overwinter in different numbers in different places it's hard to say, but three mediums equals two deeps. So if you were using two deeps, I'd use three mediums.

Unless you're using 8 frames equipment like I do, my base hive is 4 mediums. 4 Medium 8 frames = 2 deep 10 Frames, or there about.

KONASDAD · February 13, 2008, 05:28:06 PM

I use one deep, one medium here in NJ . Enough stores for winter w/o excess room too.

Ronnie Elliott · February 13, 2008, 10:24:19 PM

I live in Texas where the bees can get out and fly at least every 3rd day, even in February. If we get a real bad snow storm, it won't ever be more than a couple of inches, and will be gone within the week. The last time I saw 2-inches here, was the first year the DW and I got married, 32 years ago.

annette · February 14, 2008, 12:37:52 AM

My hive is 3 mediums. 2 bottoms supers are for the brood, top is for the honey. This is how I overwintered them.

Annette

steveouk · February 14, 2008, 09:33:25 PM

please forgive my ignorance but whats the difference between and Illinois super and a normal super ?

reinbeau · February 14, 2008, 10:29:05 PM

Illinois supers are normal supers - most call them a medium super.

QuoteHive Bodies. The standard ten-frame hive body is available in four common depths or heights. The full-depth hive body, 9 5/8 inches high.......

The medium-depth super, Dadant or Illinois shallow, is 6 5/8 inches high......

The standard shallow-depth super, 5 11/6 inches high, ....

Brian D. Bray · February 15, 2008, 11:00:31 PM

Quote from: reinbeau on February 14, 2008, 10:29:05 PM
Illinois supers are normal supers - most call them a medium super.

QuoteHive Bodies. The standard ten-frame hive body is available in four common depths or heights. The full-depth hive body, 9 5/8 inches high.......

The medium-depth super, Dadant or Illinois shallow, is 6 5/8 inches high......

The standard shallow-depth super, 5 11/6 inches high, ....

And then there is the Western super at 7 7/8. It was very popular west of the rockies in the 60's but fell out of favor as it wasn't that much different than a medium. Some people mistakenly call an Illinios super a western. Mann Lake is the only supplier that still offers the 7 7/8 western super that I know of.

steveouk · February 16, 2008, 11:34:06 AM

cool thanks for the informaiton