When to Install My Super

1

Hi All,

I’m located just North of Launceston in Tasmania.

This is my first season as a new beekeeper & all has gone well through Winter into Spring.

Was wondering when I should install the Super?

Thanks…..

2

Welcome to the forum, David.

Adding a super is a balancing act of bee population. Too early and the bees are set back by the extra work required to guard the extra space and maintain temperature and humidity. Too late and they could swarm. As a rule of thumb, look for all frames covered in bees (>90%) and plenty of capped brood. Watch the entrance to see that there’s pollen and nectar coming in. Adding a super in a dearth will set them back too.

If there’s swarm cells, adding a super can prevent or delay swarming. If you don’t want to split, knock down the queen cells too.

If everything lines up, you’ll soon see those frames filling up with spring nectar.

Mike

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3

Thanks for the info!

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