Orientation of Bees in Hive

[beeman7467]

As a follow up to my weather question, I have one more. Typically, when I open my hives this time of year the brood nest spans two supers vertically, but not all ten frames in either of them. I run mediums so I can switch them around pretty easily. Now the question. Is it better to keep them as is (spanning two supers) or re-arrange horizontally and consolidate into one or more (depending on size of brood nest) full super? My goal is to try and delay swarming as long as possible. Thanks.

[Jesse]

As a follow up to my weather question, I have one more. Typically, when I open my hives this time of year the brood nest spans two supers vertically, but not all ten frames in either of them. I run mediums so I can switch them around pretty easily. Now the question. Is it better to keep them as is (spanning two supers) or re-arrange horizontally and consolidate into one or more (depending on size of brood nest) full super? My goal is to try and delay swarming as long as possible. Thanks.

The bees know whats best - leave them as they are - I believe it is the most efficient way to keep the hive and brood warm.

[Hobie]

There is a good article by Walt Wright in this month's Bee Culture, describing how the shape of the brood nest (he describes as a blunt-tipped spear, pointing up) serves to distribute heat properly. You have seen the cross section of this shape on the frames. Now expand that to 3 dimensions, and no, they will not get to the side frames.

Walt goes on to say how disrupting the heat distribution dramatically decreases the population growth of the colony. I would recommend not messing with them.

Fascinating article. I recommend reading it.