When Is It Too Late to Add a Honey Super?
Adding a honey super too late risks reduced honey production and could negatively impact the colony’s ability to prepare for winter. Generally, it’s too late to add a honey super when the main nectar flow is ending or when there is insufficient time for the bees to draw comb, fill it with nectar, ripen it into honey, and cap it before the weather turns cold.
Understanding Honey Supers and Their Purpose
Honey supers are additional boxes placed on top of the brood boxes in a beehive. Their primary function is to provide the bees with extra space to store honey beyond what they need for their own sustenance and brood rearing. This allows beekeepers to harvest surplus honey without compromising the colony’s winter stores.
The Benefits of Adding Honey Supers
Adding honey supers at the right time brings several advantages:
- Increased Honey Production: Provides sufficient space for the bees to store nectar, maximizing honey yield.
- Reduced Swarming: Prevents overcrowding in the brood box, decreasing the likelihood of swarming.
- Improved Honey Quality: Allows bees to properly ripen and cap the honey in dedicated storage space.
- Easier Harvesting: Separate honey storage makes harvesting simpler and less disruptive to the brood nest.
Determining the Optimal Time
The best time to add a honey super depends on several factors:
- Nectar Flow: The strongest indicator is the beginning of the main nectar flow in your area. Look for signs like bees actively foraging on nectar-rich flowers, increased bee activity in the hive, and white wax production indicating new comb building.
- Colony Strength: The colony should be strong enough to occupy at least 7-8 frames in the brood box. Adding a super to a weak colony can overwhelm them.
- Comb Availability: Ensure the super has drawn comb or foundation. If using foundation, a strong nectar flow is crucial for the bees to draw it out quickly.
- Weather Conditions: Favorable weather conditions, such as warm temperatures and consistent rainfall, contribute to a strong nectar flow.
Signs You Should Add a Super
Look for these key indicators that it’s time to add a honey super:
- Bees are crowded in the brood box, clustering outside even on warm days.
- Brood frames are becoming “honey bound,” meaning that cells normally used for brood are filled with honey, restricting the queen’s laying space.
- Bees are actively bringing in pollen and nectar.
- New, white wax is being produced.
Signs It’s Too Late to Add a Super
Recognizing the signs of a waning nectar flow or inadequate time is critical to avoid adding a super too late:
- The main nectar flow is clearly ending. This can be indicated by reduced bee activity at flowers and a decrease in the amount of nectar being brought into the hive.
- Days are getting noticeably shorter and cooler.
- The bees begin consolidating their resources in preparation for winter.
- You are in a region with harsh winters and there is not enough time remaining in the season for the bees to fill and cap a super.
What Happens If You Add a Super Too Late?
Adding a super too late can lead to several undesirable outcomes:
- Reduced Honey Production: The bees may not have enough time to fill the super before the nectar flow ends.
- Increased Risk of Robbing: Weak colonies may become targets for robbing by stronger colonies, especially if nectar sources are scarce.
- Increased Risk of Small Hive Beetle Infestation: If the bees cannot adequately patrol and clean the super, it can become a breeding ground for small hive beetles.
- Strain on Colony Resources: Adding unnecessary space for the bees to heat and maintain can put extra stress on the colony, especially as temperatures drop.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding a super before the colony is strong enough.
- Adding a super without drawn comb or foundation.
- Adding a super too late in the season.
- Assuming a single super is sufficient for the entire season. You may need to add additional supers as the bees fill them.
- Not monitoring the nectar flow and colony activity closely.
A Table Summarizing Nectar Flow Indicators
| Indicator | Sign It’s Time to Add a Super | Sign It’s Too Late |
|---|---|---|
| Bee Activity | High foraging activity | Reduced foraging activity |
| Nectar in Hive | Increasing amount | Decreasing amount |
| Wax Production | New, white wax | Minimal wax production |
| Brood Box Crowding | Bees clustered outside | Bees well-spaced inside |
| Weather Conditions | Warm, consistent rainfall | Cooling, less rainfall |
Timing Strategies Based on Region
Nectar flows and weather patterns vary considerably by region. Consult with local beekeeping associations or experienced beekeepers in your area for guidance on optimal supering times. Adjust your supering schedule based on the specific conditions in your locality. In warmer climates with longer growing seasons, you have a wider window for adding supers compared to regions with shorter seasons and harsher winters.
Determining Super Size and Number
The size and number of supers needed depend on the strength of the colony, the intensity of the nectar flow, and your desired honey yield. A general guideline is to start with a medium or shallow super. As the bees fill it, add another super on top, placing the fullest super directly above the brood box. Avoid overwhelming the bees with too much space at once.
Final Thoughts
Adding honey supers at the right time is crucial for maximizing honey production and ensuring the health and well-being of your bee colony. By carefully monitoring the nectar flow, colony strength, and weather conditions, you can make informed decisions about when and how to add supers, leading to a bountiful honey harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much honey can I expect from a single super?
The amount of honey produced per super can vary widely depending on the size of the super, the strength of the nectar flow, and the efficiency of the bees. A shallow super can typically hold around 30 pounds of honey, a medium super around 45 pounds, and a deep super around 60 pounds. However, these are just estimates, and actual yields may differ significantly.
2. Can I leave a honey super on the hive over winter?
Generally, it is not recommended to leave a full honey super on the hive over winter. The weight of the honey can put a strain on the hive, and the bees may struggle to regulate the temperature and humidity within such a large space. It is better to harvest the honey and ensure the bees have adequate winter stores of their own.
3. What if I’m unsure if the nectar flow is ending?
If you are uncertain about the status of the nectar flow, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Adding a super when the nectar flow is waning can lead to the bees not filling it completely or even abandoning it. Monitor the hive activity closely and consult with other beekeepers in your area.
4. Is it okay to add a super with foundation if the nectar flow is light?
Adding a super with foundation during a light nectar flow is generally not a good idea. The bees may lack the resources and energy to draw out the comb, leaving the super empty and susceptible to pests. If you must add foundation, consider feeding the bees sugar syrup to stimulate wax production.
5. Can I mix drawn comb and foundation in the same super?
Yes, you can mix drawn comb and foundation in the same super. It is often a good strategy to encourage the bees to draw out new comb. Place the drawn comb frames on the outside edges of the super and the foundation frames in the center. This encourages the bees to draw out the foundation frames.
6. How do I prevent small hive beetles from infesting a super added late?
Preventing small hive beetles involves good hive management. Make sure your colony is strong enough to patrol and defend the super. Consider using small hive beetle traps or other control measures. Maintain good hive hygiene by cleaning up any spilled honey or debris that can attract beetles.
7. Should I inspect the super regularly after adding it?
Yes, you should inspect the super regularly, typically every one to two weeks, to monitor its progress. Check to see if the bees are drawing out comb, filling it with nectar, and capping the honey. Also, look for any signs of pests or diseases.
8. What’s the best way to remove a super for harvesting?
There are several methods for removing a super for harvesting. You can use a bee escape board, which allows the bees to move down into the brood box but prevents them from returning to the super. You can also use a leaf blower or bee brush to gently remove the bees from the frames. Avoid using harsh chemicals or smoke excessively, as this can stress the bees.
9. How can I tell if the honey is ready to be harvested?
The best way to determine if the honey is ready to be harvested is to check if it is properly capped. Honey is considered ripe when at least 80% of the cells are capped. You can also use a refractometer to measure the moisture content of the honey. Honey with a moisture content of less than 18.6% is considered safe for long-term storage.
10. What if the bees start storing pollen in the honey super?
While bees primarily use honey supers for nectar storage, they may occasionally store some pollen in them as well. A small amount of pollen is not a major concern, but if the super is filled with pollen, it can reduce the amount of space available for honey. Ensure the brood box has ample space for the queen to lay eggs to alleviate pollen storage in the honey super.
11. Will adding a super late disturb the colony’s winter preparation?
Adding a super too late can potentially disrupt the colony’s winter preparations. The bees may divert energy and resources to managing the additional space instead of focusing on building up their winter stores and insulating the hive. Adding at the right time or not at all helps the bees focus on winter survival.
12. Can I add a super in the fall for supplemental feeding?
While not a conventional practice, some beekeepers add a partially filled super of honey back to the hive in the late fall if they determine the colony is short on winter stores. This should only be done if the honey is known to be free of disease and is carefully monitored to ensure the bees can access it. Supplementing with sugar syrup is the more common approach for fall feeding.