Supers over winter

[Rooster007]

I quick question for the more experienced here.

One of my hive is very strong and has 2 supers still on it and the bees are still up there in the second super.

On my brief inspections over the previous month I tried to clear the bees from the second super by swapping the frames built up with stores to the bottom super and empty frames from the bottom supper (or just drawn out) to the top super.

I then put a crownboard between the supers to try to encourage the bees down but there is still a lot of bees in the top super.
I've a glass quilt on the top so easy to see how many bees in there when I just lift the roof off.

I did make the mistake a couple of weeks ago of removing the QE and forgot I had 2 supers on then and realised afterwards the queen could get up to the top but not done a full inspection to check since because of the weather.

My question is : Is is OK to leave 2 supers on the hive over winter or should I try to get it down to one?

 

[enrico]

It does no harm to leave two on. But if you take the emptyish one and put it UNDER the brood box they will move any stores out and up. The danger is that any on TOP of the brood box may get brood in in spring. You can then remove the super on the bottom ( nadired) later this year or early next year.
E

 

[Bee Boys]

I have the same thing as rooster but in a paynes poly hive. I was going to move the top super to below the brood box but the paynes poly hive is made so the brood box is locked onto the floor and the super will not go under the brood box because it dose not lock onto the floor.

 

[enrico]

I have the same thing as rooster but in a paynes poly hive. I was going to move the top super to below the brood box but the paynes poly hive is made so the brood box is locked onto the floor and the super will not go under the brood box because it dose not lock onto the floor.

In which case. Put a crown board with a small hole. Then a gap with a totally empty super or a couple of eeks on top of each other and then put a couple of the frames in a super above that. They will rob the frames out in a couple of days. Change the empty frames for new ones when they are empty.
E

 

[Madge]

... but the paynes poly hive is made so the brood box is locked onto the floor and the super will not go under the brood box because it dose not lock onto the floor.

That’s one reason why I got rid of my Paynes hives.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Any other super will though
That’s what I used to do when I had Payne’s hives
I got rid of mine except four of the nucs two of which are used as bait hives

 

[Madge]

Any other super will though ...

Yes, what Erica means is that a super with a small footprint - like a wooden one, an Abelo, or a Swienty - will fit between the Paynes’ brood box notches. Yes, that will work.

 

[Bee Boys]

I understand thank you. I will try it.

 

[citrus]

In which case. Put a crown board with a small hole. Then a gap with a totally empty super or a couple of eeks on top of each other and then put a couple of the frames in a super above that. They will rob the frames out in a couple of days. Change the empty frames for new ones when they are empty.
E

yeah I have been using this approach with my half filled supers .... some of which went in the freezer to save giving them all at once

 

[pargyle]

yeah I have been using this approach with my half filled supers .... some of which went in the freezer to save giving them all at once

Yes - exactly what I've just done ... cleared out four partly filled frames in under two days ...

 

[Smallbeehive]

I put two mostly filled frames above in an empty super with small hole in crown board for the bee's to take down 2 weeks ago and they still haven't cleared them out and I can see some capped untouched.

I need to get them out soon loads of empty space in there with only the two frames and I can't fit my insulation in with the frames there I don't want bee's up there running around the super when feeding either.

If they don't take it down soon what's best to do?

 

[enrico]

Bruise any capped cells or score them with a fork. They don't like uncapping stuff. Sorry, I should have mentioned that!
E

 

[pargyle]

Bruise any capped cells or score them with a fork. They don't like uncapping stuff. Sorry, I should have mentioned that!
E

In addition it works better if there is some space between the super you want cleared and the top of the brood box...if it's just above the brood box they don't seem to take it down as readily.. if at all ! Just a 50mm eke is often enough.

 

[Smallbeehive]

Bruise any capped cells or score them with a fork. They don't like uncapping stuff. Sorry, I should have mentioned that!
E

I tried this and they just don't seem to be taking it down

I have sugar water 2-1 on at 4 pints at a time in the super too, plus bee fondant & Apicandy which they are all constantly eating would this be why they are not taking the stores on the frames down?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I tried this and they just don't seem to be taking it down

I have sugar water 2-1 on at 4 pints at a time in the super too, plus bee fondant & Apicandy which they are all constantly eating would this be why they are not taking the stores on the frames down?

I think you are going a tad overboard with the feeding - the bees don't know whether they are coming or going

 

[Smallbeehive]

I think you are going a tad overboard with the feeding - the bees don't know whether they are coming or going

I probably am but it's my first year having bee's and I have read so many times they need so many stores to survive the winter etc so I have been feeding as much as I can.

Also apparently I have loads and loads of brood and not as many stores according to the local bee guy who checked my bee's nearly a month ago.

 

[Millet]

I probably am but it's my first year having bee's and I have read so many times they need so many stores to survive the winter etc so I have been feeding as much as I can.

Also apparently I have loads and loads of brood and not as many stores according to the local bee guy who checked my bee's nearly a month ago.

Do you have someone Helping you who can Adapt/improvise and over come within minutes..if not you need a different guy..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I probably am but it's my first year having bee's and I have read so many times they need so many stores to survive the winter etc so I have been feeding as much as I can.

Also apparently I have loads and loads of brood and not as many stores according to the local bee guy who checked my bee's nearly a month ago.

Ok -, first of all, a month ago is a long time, if that is all your local expert told you, then he wasn't telling you much, loads of brood is wht you would have expected a month or so ago.
You would be better off reserving the fondant/bee candy (they're one and the same BTW, just different pretty labels to fleece the unaware) for 'emergency' feeding late winter; probably the reason they are not robbing down those frames is, it's a lot easier for them to store all that lovely syrup you're giving them - take away everything apart from the frames for a few days and see what happens.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I agree with JBM.
Or take the frames out and put them in the freezer for next year .
I've not read any other posts but sounds like you need a mentor?

 

[drex]

Feeding is always a balancing act. You want to feed so that they have enough stores, but not so much that the queen has no room to lay. By all means be cautious. If not familiar with hefting then weigh your hives, and have fondant ready for emergency use.