When to put a Super on

[Jonnyl]

Murox, thanks for the reply. I only lifted the outer frames to check stores and they were heavy with honey and bees. Moreover pollen is piling in. I can't say how much brood there is as i didnt look (scared it's too early) but plentiful stores and around a kilo of fondant on the top bars which they're All over. I don't want to lose them to a swarm.

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[Murox]

Murox, thanks for the reply. I only lifted the outer frames to check stores and they were heavy with honey and bees. Moreover pollen is piling in. I can't say how much brood there is as i didnt look (scared it's too early) but plentiful stores and around a kilo of fondant on the top bars which they're All over. I don't want to lose them to a swarm.

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Dont panic. Keep out its too early - This cooler weather may well put them back in cluster. Do you have carniolans ? Have a chat with another local beek in your association.

 

[Jonnyl]

No, they're Amm mongrels. Hardly wee buzzers.

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[jenkinsbrynmair]

plentiful stores and around a kilo of fondant on the top bars

Which they obviously don't need.

 

[Jonnyl]

No, I don't think they do need it but I placed it on the hive in January when I couldn't see in and my hefting skills leave a considerable lot to be desired. Added to that I'm aware that it could/will get very cold again and they seemed to be very attached to it I thought best leave it in and err on the side of caution. This beekeeping was never sold to me as being so difficult. I need a crystal ball.

I must say that I have been given a great deal of help on this site and very much appreciate it but every now and then I receive very 'direct' replies bordering on caustic for having the temerity to use a beginners board and asking beginners questions. I'm not an expert (far, far from it), I don't pretend to be an expert, and always leave my thanks and gratitude for help and advice. If some find the questions tedious or foolhardy then please feel free to use the 'adult pool'.

Sorry but I had to vent.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Which they obviously don't need.

It maybe so but alot of experienced bee keepers do give fondant as a belt and braces approach .
Johnny hefting isn't easy perhaps invest in some luggage scales and weigh your hives instead .
Weighing with scales is alot easier .

 

[Curly green fingers]

No, I don't think they do need it but I placed it on the hive in January when I couldn't see in and my hefting skills leave a considerable lot to be desired. Added to that I'm aware that it could/will get very cold again and they seemed to be very attached to it I thought best leave it in and err on the side of caution. This beekeeping was never sold to me as being so difficult. I need a crystal ball.

I must say that I have been given a great deal of help on this site and very much appreciate it but every now and then I receive very 'direct' replies bordering on caustic for having the temerity to use a beginners board and asking beginners questions. I'm not an expert (far, far from it), I don't pretend to be an expert, and always leave my thanks and gratitude for help and advice. If some find the questions tedious or foolhardy then please feel free to use the 'adult pool'.

Sorry but I had to vent.

Felt the same way before fair play!

 

[Poly Hive]

Hefting with luggage scales is an excellent way to literally get a feel for the numbers. Just remember to heft on both sides and divide the total by 2.

I also give fondant whether technically they need it or not as to me the big advantage of it is to avoid isolation starvation which is infuriating when it happens in what should be a well provisioned colony. Anything left over I dissolve for a light spring feed.

PH

 

[enrico]

Don't apologise for venting. So many of the old hands on here forget how difficult it was as a beginner and how a little politeness and understanding goes a long way. We shouldn't have to grin and bare it. I have been venting on here for years but few listen and even fewer ever apologise! Still, as you say, some useful posts to learn from. When you have finished learning feel free to help others in a kind and understanding way!
E

 

[citrus]

Hefting with luggage scales is an excellent way to literally get a feel for the numbers. Just remember to heft on both sides and divide the total by 2.



PH

My hives live on two sleepers so using the luggage scales is a bit wonky . as I measure each side then sum and divide by two ...... but will persevere ...only did it once at the season end so must do it again !

 

[madasafish]

Hefting with luggage scales is an excellent way to literally get a feel for the numbers. Just remember to heft on both sides and divide the total by 2.

I also give fondant whether technically they need it or not as to me the big advantage of it is to avoid isolation starvation which is infuriating when it happens in what should be a well provisioned colony. Anything left over I dissolve for a light spring feed.

PH

Err no division needed.. If you are weighing with one side of the hive on the stand.

 

[Repwoc]

Err no division needed.. If you are weighing with one side of the hive on the stand.

just add the weights for the two sides.

 

[citrus]

just add the weights for the two sides.

sorry ... got confused with all the word equations on the other thread

 

[Repwoc]

sorry ... got confused with all the word equations on the other thread

Ahh! So ...

Left side weight + right side weight = total weight

 

[citrus]

Ahh! So ...

Left side weight + right side weight = total weight

ha ha yeah something like


left side + right side + wobble function = total weight
left side2 + right side2 + wobble function = total weight2

(total weight + total weight2 )/2 = closer

 

[Poly Hive]

I was taught to weigh both sides (in case one was light) add the two and divide for accuracy. (using accuracy lightly)

PH

 

[Curly green fingers]

Both sides never weigh the same either , I always weigh without the roof on .
Floor+brood+ brood+ crown board .
Add both together , I always lift both sides twice to make sure of the weight.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Both sides never weigh the same either , I always weigh without the roof on .
Floor+brood+ brood+ crown board .
Add both together , I always lift both sides twice to make sure of the weight.

probably because all the bees run from one side of the hive to the other when you tilt it to try and get the highest side to settle back down.

 

[Repwoc]

I was taught to weigh both sides (in case one was light) add the two and divide for accuracy. (using accuracy lightly)

PH

If a hive is supported by two bars on a stand, then the weight of the hive will be divided between the two bars. If the weight is evenly distributed in the hive, then each bar will be supporting half of the weight. If the hive is heavier on one side, then one bar will be supporting more weight than the other.

If a luggage scale is used to weigh one side, with sufficient 'lift' used to just raise it a tiny amount (so as not to tip the hive) then the scale will be supporting the weight that was on that bar, and the total weight of the hive will be shared between the scale and the other bar.

If the weight is evenly distributed in the hive, then the scale will be supporting half of it and the total weight is the scale reading * 2. Usually that isn't the case, so a more accurate result is achieved by weighing the other side of the hive and adding the two readings together.

 

[Curly green fingers]

probably because all the bees run from one side of the hive to the other when you tilt it to try and get the highest side to settle back down.

Your making it sound like there on in a sea saw I know what I'll stand in the middle and rock them to sleep. Then I'll weigh each side and see what happens .