Add a super this Fall

[Tulipwood]

This is my first year beekeeping. I have one hive and both my deep brood boxes are full and thriving. I just applied Mite Away and have two weeks to go to finish that treatment. Here's my question:

Should I add a shallow super this Fall after the Mite Away treatment, or should I wait until Spring?

Roger P.

[Michael Bush]

If they seem to be hauling in nectar, I try to keep some room for them to store it. If they don't seem to be hauling in nectar anymore, I wouldn't bother unless the bees just don't fit in the space they have. If the bees are overflowing and bearding, I'd put a box on just to give them somewhere to go.

[Ravenseye]

I agree with MB. I'm in year one as well and I have two deeps FULL of bees and honey (2:1 that they stored and capped). Currently treating for mites so I plan on NOT taking any honey from them). The deeps are VERY full of bees and I tossed a medium on top. If they ONLY draw a bit of wax, then I'll pull the super off in a few weeks and store it. It'll be a good way to get them going next spring...less wax to draw. If they store anything in the super, I'll probably leave it on. I feel better that they have wax to pull and somewhere to go with nectar if they need to. I was on the fence regarding feeding versus a flow and I was concerned that they would store too much 2:1 and suddenly be out of room.

By the way, I checked today and the frames are being drawn in the center of the medium super. No filling or capping yet...just wax getting drawn. Nice white wax.....looking good!