Over winter hive set up

[Graeme6]

Hi all, after some advice about how to set up my hives for over wintering. At the moment I have all my hive condensed down to one brood box whilst treating with apivar strips. I have kept back one full super from each hive with a view to putting it back for the bees to use the stores over the winter period. Is this a good idea and if so should the supers be put on above or below the brood box. Thanks in advance for any helpfull info.

Graeme

 

[ericbeaumont]

should

No 'should' about it, Graeme, because depending on variable factors, either will work:

1 What is your instinctive reaction to the weight when you heft at the back with one hand?
2 Is ivy flowering and bees foraging?
3 How many frames of brood does each colony have?
4 Did you run them on double brood during the season?
5 If so, why did you condense them?

One factor may help you decide: a nadired full super is a lot to clear upstairs unless the colony is strong and there's space to put it.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

if you feed/manage the colony properly, there should be no reason to have a full super of stores as well