How long can assembled supers (with foundation) sit around?

[dni]

I am putting together my hives for the season optimistically - probably a few more than I will actually need (but you never know).

Should I hold off on adding the wax foundation to the frames until right before I need them, or can they sit around safely until next season?

If I do completely assemble them, should I wrap them tight in plastic?

Obviously, I will make sure they don't get too warm.

Any thoughts appreciated....

[AstroBee]

generally one doesn't have a problem with moths in foundation, however if kept in total darkness anything is possible. Also, heat can warp the foundation making it a pain to get straight again. If you have a reasonably conditioned space with some natural light then go for it, otherwise just wait until you need them.

[Sundance]

I am putting together my hives for the season optimistically - probably a few more than I will actually need (but you never know).

Should I hold off on adding the wax foundation to the frames until right before I need them, or can they sit around safely until next season?

If I do completely assemble them, should I wrap them tight in plastic?

Obviously, I will make sure they don't get too warm.

Any thoughts appreciated....

If you put them in a room with plenty of light and
stack them criss cross so light gets to each box
you will be fine. Wax moths like it dark.

[Michael Bush]

I always wait to put foundation in until the last minute. If it gets hot it will sag.

[Brent Bean]

Use plastic foundation, you could assemble them and store them indefinitely. If a mouse would happen to build a cozy nest in one just clean it out and give it to the bees.

[Jeffzhear]

And yes, wax moths will get into foundation if nothing else! I agree with Mike Bush; wait and put it in when you need it, or shortly before.

[carbide]

I've got some supers that I put together 3 years ago complete with wax foundation. After I built them I received a bunch of supers from a retiring beek complete with drawn out frames and have not needed to make use of my new supers yet. I checked the new frames recently and none of the wax foundation has warped or sagged on me yet.

If you put them together and store them where they won't see any extreme heat I don't think that you'll have any problem with them.

P.S. To preclude any damage from wax moths I sprayed the wax with bt.

[dni]

P.S. To preclude any damage from wax moths I sprayed the wax with bt.

thank you.

what is bt?

[carbide]

The bt that I use is actually bt aizawai. It is a biological insecticide consisting of spores that when mixed with water and sprayed onto foundation or comb protect the wax from wax moths. When the wax is eaten by wax moth larvae the bt eats the larvae beginning in their stomach and working its way out. Killing the larvae and thus saving the comb or foundation.

If you are interested in obtaining some bt Sundance sells it in the powder form in the For Sale section of the forum.

[Elwood]

I built 2 deep hive bodies 27 years ago and stored them in a carport for the whole time. It would get to 120 there each summer and when I got them out the other day about half looked okay. so I put them in the hive.The bees built comb in the center of foundation and chewed away patches around the center. 27 years might be too old but still, not a complete write off!

[Carl F]

I built 2 deep hive bodies 27 years ago and stored them...

Now that's planning ahead!

[Elwood]

Yup, I reckon it is.
:)