Too early to add supers?

[BeeBo]

National hive, single brood box, bias on 5 frames but still empty cells on most of these (half to a quarter of the area) about 3 frames full of mostly capped honey, a couple of empty, only slightly drawn foundation on the outside. New queen towards end of last summer. Bees flying in with lots of pollen, very active over the last few days as temperatures at hive site in mid to high teens. Numerous fields of oil seed rape within flying distance just coming into flower. Insulation has been and still is on top of brood box.

Would it be a good idea to add a super now?

 

[irishguy]

National hive, single brood box, bias on 5 frames but still empty cells on most of these (half to a quarter of the area) about 3 frames full of mostly capped honey, a couple of empty, only slightly drawn foundation on the outside. New queen towards end of last summer. Bees flying in with lots of pollen, very active over the last few days as temperatures at hive site in mid to high teens. Numerous fields of oil seed rape within flying distance just coming into flower. Insulation has been and still is on top of brood box.

Would it be a good idea to add a super now?

I was advised that when you see bees on last frame or 2nd last frame then its time to super.

 

[Finman]

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No super. The colony is able to occupye only half box and their life will be difficult if you give more space. Move the foundation nearer to brood are that bees draw it.

It takes quite much time that bees fill the box, if part of brood frame cells are empty.

It sounds to me that hive box is cold. Too much space and perhaps too much ventilation. Keep insulations in the hive. Mesfloor!

 

[Finman]

I was advised that when you see bees on last frame or 2nd last frame then its time to super.

It is summer advice, but no means spring advice. And it depends, how old are capped brood cells. Are new bees allready emerging in masses? - a large hole in the centre of the brood area and eggs and larvae in the hole. So you know, what is happening.

 

[Erichalfbee]

No super, but move those outside frames next to the brood nest. They will be drawn and laid up. Look again in one week.