Did I Put the Super on Too Soon?

Beesilly · May 23, 2008, 02:39:44 PM

I put the super on Monday, 4 days ago. I'm using foundationless frames. The bees had 5 frames fully drawn out, 2 frames 1/2 way drawn out, and 1 frame that the bees just starting building on. The last two were empty. I saw tons of honey, and thought maybe I should put a super on so they won't over crowd the deep with honey, leaving the queen with no room to lay. I covered the inner cover, so the heat stays in with the bees. I peeked in today quickly, and only the occasional stragler bee is in the super. I'm wondering if I should take the super off, and let them finish the frames in the deep. I remember reading somewhere, that you could put a sheet of newspaper between the deep and super, and the bees will chew away the newspaper when they need more room. I think I should just take the super off, and let them be. And when they have 8 frames fully drawn I should put on the super?
Thanks!
Beesilly

annette · May 23, 2008, 02:46:49 PM

Sounds like you have a good honey flow going on, so I would say it is fine to leave that super on right now. Usually you wait until about 7 frames are drawn out and filled, but since things are moving pretty fast right now, I think it would be fine

KONASDAD · May 23, 2008, 03:03:04 PM

if you are conscerned they need more room, but aren't sure a whole additional super is needed, just rotate your frames within the existing super. Take the frames that aren't drawn yet, and rotate them into the middle.

annette · May 23, 2008, 06:33:22 PM

I didn't think of that Konasdad, good idea and I need to remember that also.

johnnybigfish · May 23, 2008, 07:52:27 PM

Same here Konasdad, What a great idea!. I'd a never thought!

your friend,
john

Brian D. Bray · May 23, 2008, 09:41:28 PM

Quote from: KONASDAD on May 23, 2008, 03:03:04 PM
if you are conscerned they need more room, but aren't sure a whole additional super is needed, just rotate your frames within the existing super. Take the frames that aren't drawn yet, and rotate them into the middle.

Rotating into the middle can upset the brood chamber, just rotate the frames so they are on each side of the brood chamber and the other frames are on the outside of that. The bees will draw out the comb as brood comb. Frames 1 & 10 are always storage combs so as long as the undrawn frames are placed inward of that they will get drawn out.

Ross · May 24, 2008, 11:26:26 AM

I would say way too soon. I like for my bees to really fill whatever space they have before I add more. When they not only have drawn most of 10 frames, but are occupying them as well, then add a super.

Beesilly · May 24, 2008, 06:16:50 PM

Thanks, yesterday afternoon I took the super off, and rotated the 2 outside empty frames with the frames next to them. I will check in on them in a week (next friday), or do you think I should check on them sooner, since there's a good flow? I'm also getting interested in the top entarence, reading about it now...
Thanks everyone!
Beesilly