Clearing a super of bees for honey extraction

[E&MBees]

I tried this evening to put in a clearer board so that I can remove the super for extraction. I didn’t do it during the day because there were wasps around the hive. The air was warm and the wind had dropped, so weather wise it was ok.
As I gently lifted the crown board, there was an almighty roar and bees flooded out. I had to use smoke to be able to lower the crown board back down and replace the roof. I beat a hasty retreat!
What did I do wrong?

Thanks,
Emily

 

[Angry_Mob]

Bees get extra defensive at night so I'd advise against opening a hive late in the evening, the wasps may have put them on edge as well. Add and remove the clearer boards during the day; supers need to be removed when there are no bees flying.

Three stage process.
1) Clearer board on during the day.
2) Supers removed the following morning or evening.
3) Clearer board removed. If the supers were removed that morning you can remove it the same day, otherwise it will be the following day.

 

[E&MBees]

Bees get extra defensive at night so I'd advise against opening a hive late in the evening, the wasps may have put them on edge as well. Add and remove the clearer boards during the day; supers need to be removed when there are no bees flying.

Three stage process.
1) Clearer board on during the day.
2) Supers removed the following morning or evening.
3) Clearer board removed. If the supers were removed that morning you can remove it the same day, otherwise it will be the following day.

Thanks. That makes sense.

 

[Levitt53]

Yes remove the clearer board as a separate operation the next day in nice weather. I can't see any problem leaving it on there if there is nothing above it to tempt the bees to try and get through, if it's chucking it down with rain the next day for instance.

 

[Angry_Mob]

Yes remove the clearer board as a separate operation the next day in nice weather. I can't see any problem leaving it on there if there is nothing above it to tempt the bees to try and get through, if it's chucking it down with rain the next day for instance.

Just don't leave on too long otherwise the bees may build comb.

Another thought, on a very strong colony when removing multiple supers it may be worth putting on a empty super below the clearer board to give them enough space to move down, especially if your clearer board has no eke.