Adding a Second Super to a Beehive

[@ScholarsOfGOLB]

Very helpful so it’s time to add another honey super on the hive. Thank you

[@stevenedwards4371]

I Nadired my two hives at the end of last year, when would be the right time to remove these and place back on top of the Brood box

[@littleninpo]

Really Super vid:).Is it true that you need to harvest OSR quickly as it can render frames un usable even by the bees) due to OSR honey going hard ?

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi littleninpo, The OSR granulates very quickly in the comb so you have to be very watchful and extract as soon as you take the supers off the hive. I find the honey to be one of my favourites, I think it might be one of those "Marmite" things, you either love it or hate it! Stewart

[@littleninpo]

I'm not near any so not an issue I face. So I take it , it must have a strong taste by the marmite comparison:)

[@chcnsac]

Stewart. Newbee here, from the southeastern US. What is the purpose of the upturned plastic container on top of your inner cover. I really enjoy your videos and they are extremely educational. Thank you.

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Crystal, I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. The plastic container had pollen substitute in it and was there earlier in the Spring to feed to the bees. I will be removing it in the next few weeks as the natural pollen sources become available for the bees. Stewart

[@christopherhindle1174]

Hello Stewart, is there any disadvantage in adding supers well in advance of when they might actually be needed? This would ensure the bees had ample space all season.

[@christopherhindle1174]

As a P.S., I should add that I live in the South of France, with temperatures most summer days in the upper 20's, so bees getting cold in the polystyrene hives I have should not be a problem.

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Chris, Good question, I think a lot depends on the area that you live and the anticipated nectar flow. I would try to get supers on a week or so early provided the brood box is already fully drawn and the bees are ready for more space. Adding supers to a partially drawn brood box allows the bees to grow up instead of sideways and you may find yourself with frames of chewed foundation rather than nicely drawn comb packed with stores for Winter. Stewart

[@vibes6730]

Man You are doing great job ! My question is that can we add super without queen excluder because I have heard from some sources that queen excluder is harmful for bees as it takes more power to go through it !

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Umer, Thanks for commenting. You can add the super without a queen excluder yes and lots of beekeepers across the world do this. It does mean that the queen can move freely around the hive and lay her eggs in which ever cells she wants and that could of course mean in the supers too. You would then have to only take the honey frames and reorganise the brood in the supers but it seems to work for a lot of people out there. As with most things in beekeeping there are many ways to do things, choose whichever way best suits you. My preference is to use queen excluders but maybe I will try one hive without and see what happens :) Stewart

[@vibes6730]

Thanks for reply ! What are the other method of avoiding queen to lay eggs without the use of queen excluder for honey storage?

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

I'm not sure there are many other options. Certainly I am happy enough using a queen excluder so once you find a method you are happy with you tend to stop looking, If you understand what I mean by that. Stewart

[@vibes6730]

Thanks you again for your kind reply! My last question about this topic that does queen excluder is harmful for honeybee life as they require more power to pass through it ?

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi Umer, I'm not sure that having the queen excluder in place is particularly difficult for the bees in terms of shortening their life span. I use wire excluders which have rounded wire rather than the pressed metal or plastic types which have sharper edges. Those type may be more difficult for the bees perhaps. Stewart

[@munibungbeeking1719]

Nice work Stewart , so during a flow do you recommend checking honey supers every week.

[@TheNorfolkHoneyCo]

Hi MK, Yes I always assess the supers each week as I inspect through the active season. Stewart

[@ebdclark]

Why do you have the plastic container on the inner cover? Thank you for the video.

[@tahakhan7431]

please giveaway honey to me