The 2 ways to super.

[Hambone]

I basically see two different ways to super. Excluder and no Excluder. I have 2 robust hives ready to be supered. I was going to try both methods more or less to get the experience of doing both. I am running mediums for brood and honey.

Excluder: Are you running a 2 or 3 medium brood nest? When you put on the excluder do you try to find a frame of mostly nectar from the brood nest to place above the excluder to get them to go up? I don’t have any drawn comb to put above the excluder just foundation. Once you put on the excluder and supers is there really any other manipulation to do during the flow?

One of my excluder worries is that it might make them fill congested and swarm. Is this a legitimate concern?

No Excluder: Are you rotating the boxes to keep the younger brood/eggs in the bottom. Keeping the queen low. Or do you just keep stacking the supers up and not worry about it.

And wanted to get an idea of how many of you prop up the top super during the flow allowing a top entrance.

[Ross]

I don't use excluders for honey production. I allow unlimited brood nest. The queen will lay in the top initially, but as nectar comes in, the bees will begin backfilling cells with nectar, limiting where the queen can lay. In effect, they push her down the stack as they make honey. I usually end up with 2 and a half brood boxes and honey on top. I use a stick under the top for a top entrance and to allow heat and moisture to escape.

[cow pollinater]

I always let them start drawing out foundation in the super before I put on the excluder. I've found that they won't cross one to start new work but they don't even notice it if they're crossing it to add to what they already have.

[no1cowboy]

I always use excluders and do nothing to "draw them up" I dont have any problem with the bees crossing it to draw comb and store honey.

[bnatural]

I don't use excluders, but run three deeps for the main hive. Like Ross, I allow unlimited brood nest, but by the time I add supers, the top deep is mostly full of honey, the queen has been pushed down a level, and while she will eventually lay some in the top deep, she doesn't get up into the supers.

Bill

[Michael Bush]

>One of my excluder worries is that it might make them fill congested and swarm. Is this a legitimate concern?

Yes.

>No Excluder: Are you rotating the boxes to keep the younger brood/eggs in the bottom.

No.

> Keeping the queen low.

No.

> Or do you just keep stacking the supers up and not worry about it.

Yes.

>And wanted to get an idea of how many of you prop up the top super during the flow allowing a top entrance.

That's always my only entrance. In theory anyway. :) The bees often find others...