how late in the fall to add a super

[mswartfager]

I have one hive that seems really healthy with a new queen installed just last month.  The two deep boxes making up the hive are really packed full of bees, capped honey....probably seven full frames of capped honey in the top deep....it is really amazing compared to what was there only about a week and a half ago.  A neighbor planted a few acres of buckwheat just for the bees and wildlife around here, but it seems like it and the golden rod blooming in this area (northwest pa) is about over and the days are in the 70's and nights are dipping into the high 40's.  Any advice on adding a shallow super or not?   

[buzzbee]

Put it on,
If they don't use it you can take it back off.Just be sure to leave enough to overwinter with.

[timdalyiii]

I added one in hopes they would get a head start building it out for next year.  They built it out and filled it with syrup (some capped).  Should I leave it on for the winter or take it off?  If I take it off, when?

Thanks

[Brian D. Bray]

I added one in hopes they would get a head start building it out for next year.  They built it out and filled it with syrup (some capped).  Should I leave it on for the winter or take it off?  If I take it off, when?

Thanks

Would you want an open drafty attic in your house during the winter?   Thought not, the bees don't either.  If it doesn't contain life sustaining stores get rid of it until spring, then put it on after feeding the hive a few gallons of syrup in the spring.

[timdalyiii]

How do I store it over winter?  I've read people put them in the freezer or something, but I don't have the space (or an extractor).  I think I read that you can lay them in the sun to dry them out and store them in plastic in your basement.  Any advise or link to best practice?

Thank you.

[annette]

I first freeze my frames because I have access to a very large freezer.(you can lie them down carefully into the freezer, they do not have to be inside a super) The frames will come out very frozen and very brittle and can break very easily. I usually let them thaw out about an hour before proceeding with the next step. After a few days in the freezer, you can place the frames back into the super and place them into 2 heavy wt garbage bags. I seal up the openings with duct tape just to be sure they are closed up good.

There are many other ways and I am sure you will hear more.

[timdalyiii]

So the freezer is not to preserve the syrup/honey, it's to kill any pests that may be on the frame?

Once it thaws and in the bags, doesn't the syrup 'ooze' out?  I guess that was a silly question.  I don't ever see any syrup dripping out of my hive.

[annette]

Any frames that I have with honey to feed back to the bees, I just keep in the freezer. But I understand that not everyone has access to a large freezer.

Any other frames, I would probably extract the honey first before storing.

Lets see what others say

Annette

Oh yeah on your question about the freezing to kill pests. The answer is yes, to kill any wax moth larva that may still be hiding in the frames.