Clearing bees Up instead of Down?

[Chris B]

Has anyone ever tried this? That is using a clearer board on a hive that is reversed, with honey supers put below, clearer board, then brood box (queenless split in my case) and an entrance at top.

It might sound strange but I'm reviewing what we do at harvest from the point of view of reducing manual handling. I haven't used clearer boards in years but might be worth going back to them if this is viable. I can't think why this wouldn't work but might be missing the obvious. Will trial on a few at end of May perhaps.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

[mbc]

Not quite what you're asking, but I have made stacks of supers from different hives with clearer boards top and bottom and come back the next day to collect them and that seemed to work fine.

 

[OXFORDBEE]

Is the theory the brood will draw bees up from the supers? Are you using conical escapes or Porter/Crowther ones?

 

[rugbee]

I'll give some feedback stick to IT

 

[Chris B]

Is the theory the brood will draw bees up from the supers? Are you using conical escapes or Porter/Crowther ones?

Rhombus

 

[Chris B]

I'll give some feedback stick to IT

Thanks Rich, don't know why I didn't think of that.