[Martha]

Hi,
I am not doing an unlimted brood setup - since this is my first year. I'm doing good just getting them down to small cell.

Any way, when I add additional supers above the queen excluder, do I just pop it on top of the previous one or put just above the queen excluder?

Thanks,
Martha

 

[Gregg]

I don't think it makes too much of a difference. Some people claim "bottom supering" (putting the super just above the excluder) will help the bees fill it faster. Of course there is some additional time and lifting involved, but for a few hives it's no problem. I just "top super" because with 380 hives it's not feasible for me.

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Gregg Stewart

 

[Michael Bush]

I just throw them on top. I'm lazy.

 

[bjerm2]

I supper on top but thats my preferance. When drawing up new fondation I do not use queen excluders I feel like the bees don't want to draw out the comb as fast above an excluder. I like to put the foundation just above the brood since I read that the warmth from the brood helps in comb building.
Dan

 

[Dave W]

Greetings Martha,

There are two reasons for "adding supers".
1) To expand brood nest,
2) provide additional room for honey storage

Brood nest is expanded by adding on TOP of existing super (without excluder) until desired hive configuration (2-story, 3-story, etc) is achieved.

Supering for honey storage, will depend on whether comb honey OR extracted honey is to be produced.

BOTTOM SUPERING (adding underneath already filled supers and immediately on top of brood nest) is often used in producing comb honey. Bottom supering produces less travel stains (less bee traffic over filled super).

TOP SUPERING is used in extraced honey production. Super is simply placed above filled super(s).

Top supering does not require a queen excluder (queen rarely crosses a full super of honey).

Top supering is often suggested for use during fall honey flow, but may result in partially filled super at end of season.

Hope this helps!

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Dave W . . .

Hobbist - 1 Hive
First Package - Apr 03
Broodnest - 3 Deeps
Screened Bottom Board
Apistan - Aug 18, 03
Grease Patties - All year
03/04 Winter Loss - 0%

 

[bill holmes]

I bottom super with foundation, and top super with drawn comb. The bees seem to draw fundation better when it's closer to the brood.