fall hive management

[kwest]

i have four hives. i made these from two packages i purchased last may. the stronger two hives each had a western full of honey. i extracted about 2 gallons of honey from the two stronger hives. i took 4 frames from each of the two stronger hives. i expected to see more honey packed into the brood chamber during a later inspection. but there is next to no honey stored in the lower boxes of any of the hives. which i did extpect from the two smaller hives which were still building up. anyway. is it reccomended to pull off supers in mid summer so they start to pack away honey in the brood chambers for winter. i think the flow ended about 3 weeks ago. around labor day. (first frost) i was thinking that next summer i should possibly have the supers pulled by the first week of august so they start to pack the hive full for winter. if they are running out of room i could always add a super later. this would give at 3-4 weeks for them to pack away winter stores. what do you guys do? i do know i pushed my bees hard as they have drawn all the foundation that they have and i did split the new hives this summer. so i am feeding the heck out of them ( gets kinda spendy) thanks for any info.

[beedeetee]

The answer to your question is very local. You need to find out the timings of your flows and their normal strength. Other local beekeepers will need to help you answer this...or experience. Elevation can change the times by a week or two.

In my area we have one main flow. We have enough nectar coming in during the spring months to usually maintain brood rearing but not build up much extra. Then June-July our flow happens. Between the middle and end of July we remove supers when the main flow ends and everything else is for brood rearing and building up for winter.

If weather doesn't cooperate in the times before and after the main flow we may have to feed.