Wet supers

[Popparand]

Hi. First extraction this week (fingers crossed). Is it better to put back wet frames/supers under or over bb after extraction?

 

[enrico]

Under is easy but they may reuse or the queen may start laying in them. IMHO over is better provided you make them think they are robbing. I.e. put a feeder board on with the hole reduced to a small space. Put an eke on, or even an empty super, put the box of wet frames on the top. Be prepared to remove them after a couple of days with a clearer board.
The main problem with this isthat the bees in the hive get the signal that there is honey in the immediate area, they don't understand that it is directly above them so they start looking, you can end up with a robbing frenzy on a weaker hive.
I am sure some on here will advise to store wet. There are arguements for and against all methods so choose which suite you best!
E

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Even easier - store them wet

 

[enrico]

Even easier - store them wet

 

[madasafish]

I store wet - prevents wax moth..

 

[bontbee]

That's what I was told, and what I always did, until the little blighters munched their way through wax, honey and all. Now I store most dry.

Wet supers will get the bees up into them very quickly next year, though.

 

[Murox]

Hi. First extraction this week (fingers crossed). Is it better to put back wet frames/supers under or over bb after extraction?

I used to store up to six supers worth of wet frames in an old chest freezer each winter, suitably 'boxed'. Worked well for me and prevented moth and other problems. My preference was to let the bees clean them up though, but as suggested can cause issues.

 

[taurus]

Wet supers will get the bees up into them very quickly next year, though.

That's a thought - I hadn't considered that.

Last year I tried to store them wet but the little blighters found a way into them and there was absolute chaos. I had to let them get on with it in the end so I ended up with dry supers. They have been somewhat slow to go up into them so I shall try again to keep them wet.

 

[Ian123]

I store wet - prevents wax moth..

Should read wet supers discourage!!!! wax moth

 

[Beefriendly]

Wet supers will get the bees up into them very quickly next year, though.

Only to clean them out and "dry" them ready for the spring flow.

 

[Swarm]

Only to clean them out and "dry" them ready for the spring flow.

But without the need to put them on and take them off in between.

 

[Beefriendly]

But without the need to put them on and take them off in between.

That is true.......but saves the purchase of those non biodegradable plastic bags that some use to wrap each super in.
Having about a dozen hives at the bottom of my garden it's probably less trouble for me to put them on and take them off than to bag each individual super.
With poly supers you get the additional problem of hungry mice and rats in winter; as I've found to my cost in spring when storing wet...admittedly not bagged but ratchet strapped together.
Individual circumstances should dictate which works for you, not dogma.

 

[Swarm]

That is true.......but saves the purchase of those non biodegradable plastic bags that some use to wrap each super in.
Having about a dozen hives at the bottom of my garden it's probably less trouble for me to put them on and take them off than to bag each individual super.
With poly supers you get the additional problem of hungry mice and rats in winter; as I've found to my cost in spring when storing wet...admittedly not bagged but ratchet strapped together.
Individual circumstances should dictate which works for you, not dogma.

Precisely, so stop being dogmatic.
If you find it easier carrying that stuff up and down your garden, carry on.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I usually use my poly supers to draw comb then get the frames into wooden boxes. This year I couldn’t keep up and all the supers were in use. Consequently they all have drawn frames in them. I have asked around other poly hive users and I’ll be storing the supers wet and strapped in a cold shed. So we’ll see what happens.

 

[Beefriendly]

If you find it easier carrying that stuff up and down your garden, carry on.

I intend to.
If you are content to bag each individual super in a separate non biodegradable plastic bag then carry on.

 

[Beefriendly]

I have asked around other poly hive users and I’ll be storing the supers wet and strapped in a cold shed. So we’ll see what happens.

And the devil is in the detail. I haven't enough room to store everything inside a shed (where I can set traps)...it's stored outside.
But what does it matter...... you can store either way. Seems the wets want everyone to store "their" way .
What is important is that people realise that they can store their supers either dry or wet. It's personal preference not dogma. Different circumstances can dictate which way you go.

 

[Swarm]

I usually use my poly supers to draw comb then get the frames into wooden boxes. This year I couldn’t keep up and all the supers were in use. Consequently they all have drawn frames in them. I have asked around other poly hive users and I’ll be storing the supers wet and strapped in a cold shed. So we’ll see what happens.

I never had a problem with poly boxes, they were bigger so usually at the bottom of the stack.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thanks Steve.
The shed is rodent proof and there is a big notice on the door to keep it closed on pain of death

 

[madasafish]

Thanks Steve.
The shed is rodent proof and there is a big notice on the door to keep it closed on pain of death

Can rats near you read?

Our local rats are illiterate.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Can rats near you read?

Our local rats are illiterate.

Ha ha.

The death threat is to the family.