Adding super

redhat · September 30, 2011, 02:29:14 AM

Guys, my bees have completely filled out 2 deeps and I am going to add a third later today. I have one newbie question though-Should I move a few frames up into the new hive body ? if yes, please specify. Or do I just add the super and leave them be?

BeeMaster2 · September 30, 2011, 03:38:11 AM

Yes, that will speed up the bees in moving into the new super. Also spray 1 to 1 sugar water on the foundations. The bees will clean it off and then accept the wax instead of building over it. Take the frame from next to the brood area. This will give your queen space to lay eggs and reduce swarming.
Jim

rdy-b · September 30, 2011, 03:46:08 AM

sounds like your siting on a good flow-just stick it on -they already no what to do if you got two deeps full
hope the flow is a long one--RDY-B

bee-nuts · September 30, 2011, 04:17:34 AM

pull some of your outside frames up anyway then replace them with foundation in the middle of brood nest. This will help get the bees up into new box and give them some new comb to raise brood in.

T Beek · September 30, 2011, 06:31:59 AM

Adding supers is a great time to do a complete inspection. Start by removing both FULL supers. Set them aside with covers (a blanket, a t-shirt or whatever) over them (keeps bees calm). I keep a piece of plywood at the beeyard for setting opened hives on.

Take this opportunity to clean off your bottom board if using a solid one.

Now place your new EMPTY super in the original location. Then start going through full supers (original bottom one first) inspecting one frame at a time and placing each in the new super, alternating with empty frames. Keep going until you've reached your top super. Keep empty frames to the outside for now.

If all is well (queen laying?) you're done, you've added another super and have 'opened the broodnest' which is now ready for bee expansion. Have fun.

thomas

JP · September 30, 2011, 10:05:24 AM

If they have had just the two deeps on for a while I would do a thorough inspection as well. There is a chance they could have too much honey, if so, I would pull a few frames and either harvest or move them up. Keep the center of each one for brood nest, honey storage on the exterior frames and in the third box.

Do y'all have winter & how long? How cold does it get, maximum?

...JP

T Beek · September 30, 2011, 10:56:51 AM

Jamaica? Cold? Does not compute :-D. Me thinks 60 (F) would be considered cold down dare mon ;)

thomas

JP · September 30, 2011, 11:02:13 AM

That would be my guess as well Thomas but I would think they have some kind of cooler season. Maybe they are like Florida, hardly any winter at all. Would be even more of a reason to keep them in check to curtail swarming due to being honey bound.

...JP

T Beek · September 30, 2011, 12:09:22 PM

Completely different world for beeks and bees on the equator, that's for sure.

With all the floral blooming going on throughout the year one has to wonder if there's ever a dearth. May have to wait for redhat's reply to find out.

thomas

redhat · September 30, 2011, 12:44:15 PM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. There is no cold season to speak of. It might drop to 60's in Dec. Jan when a cold front is passing thru but thats about it.

yockey5 · September 30, 2011, 01:12:52 PM

I think I am moving south! :-P

JP · September 30, 2011, 04:45:19 PM

Quote from: redhat on September 30, 2011, 12:44:15 PM
Thanks for all the feedback guys. There is no cold season to speak of. It might drop to 60's in Dec. Jan when a cold front is passing thru but thats about it.

Do you ever experience a dearth or do you always have some kind of flow going on?

...JP

redhat · September 30, 2011, 09:09:42 PM

This is my first year, but there isnt any this year (was told that there wast one last yr) but normally the dearth runs from sept. to dec.

The second deep i mentioned in my first post had about 5 frames of capped honey. Guys, I ran into a major problem while adding the super. That hive was always hot and for that reason I rarely inspect it. Today was no different, i got stung in my head thru my suit numerous times. In the end I just put the third deep on and made a fast exit.

yockey5 · September 30, 2011, 09:41:39 PM

Quote from: redhat on September 30, 2011, 09:09:42 PM
This is my first year, but there isnt any this year (was told that there wast one last yr) but normally the dearth runs from sept. to dec.

The second deep i mentioned in my first post had about 5 frames of capped honey. Guys, I ran into a major problem while adding the super. That hive was always hot and for that reason I rarely inspect it. Today was no different, i got stung in my head thru my suit numerous times. In the end I just put the third deep on and made a fast exit.

Time to re-queen this puppy!

bee-nuts · October 01, 2011, 02:27:08 AM

Is there AHB there?

redhat · October 01, 2011, 11:20:33 AM

No AHB here but the bees that I have encountered are not like those I see on JP's videos. Its always best to wear a suit.

BeeMaster2 · October 03, 2011, 12:53:34 PM

Quote from: redhat on October 01, 2011, 11:20:33 AM
No AHB here but the bees that I have encountered are not like those I see on JP's videos. Its always best to wear a suit.

What type of bees are they? They do not sound like Italians. Do you have access to Italian queens? I would hate to have to wear a suit in your weather.
Jim

redhat · October 03, 2011, 09:07:06 PM

I dont think they are Italian/Russian or anything like that, never heard of any specific breed. I have seen some quiet ones and some agressive ones plus those that fall between the two extremes.

sean · October 03, 2011, 09:19:30 PM

Dearth season actually starts from about july. Where in jamaica are you? as was said, pull some brood frames (normally the 4th from both ends of the hive body) and move them up to the new box, replace with undrawn frames. Incidentally what is in those frames you currently have in now? wear a cap under the veil, this will stop the stings in your head(i think they are attracted by the sweat

JP · October 04, 2011, 09:36:40 AM

I believe they zero in on the head region more than any other because of the Co2 we breathe off. Definitely attracted to our sweat, but in a good way. I believe it must be the salt in our sweat that attracts them. I often have them on me when I'm sweating, proboscis fully extended reaping that good ole sweat harvest.

...JP