The ideal time to add a second honey super to a beehive is when the upper box is about 75% full of drawn comb with either brood or food and full of bees. This typically occurs during the spring, when natural population growth is at its peak, and a honey flow is either about to begin or already in progress.
Assessing Your Hive’s Growth
This assessment comprises several factors, including bee population, regular hive inspection, and nectar flow conditions. All these elements considered together will enable the beekeeper to make an informed decision on when to add the additional honey super.
Strong Bee Population
Before adding a honey super, it’s crucial to ensure that the colony exhibits a strong and healthy bee population. A hive needs enough worker bees to maintain the brood, gather resources, and protect the colony. That’s why, before you add a second super, you will notice that the bees cover at least 8 frames of the current super, clearly in need of more space.
Hive Inspection
At least every two weeks during the honey flow, check the hive’s space with the 7/10 rule. That means it’s time to add a honey super when 7 out of 10 frames exhibit brood or stored resources. Monitoring the hive’s development helps determine its needs and promptly address any issues that may arise.
Nectar Flow
The availability of nectar sources directly impacts the bees’ ability to produce honey, which determines the need for additional storage space. Familiarize yourself with local flowering patterns and the timing of the nectar flow to decide when to add a honey super to your hive. A colony requires extra space during peak nectar flow periods for optimum honey production (Mississippi State University Extension).
Determining the Right Time
There are ways to ‘read a hive’ to inform you of the best time to add that super. They are:
Look Out for That Full Honey Super
One key indicator of when to add a second honey super is when the bees have almost completely drawn out and filled in the frames in the already existing boxes, the 75% mentioned above full. If it’s early in the season, bees can use new space better.
Look Out for Signs of Swarming
Adding a second honey super at the right time can help prevent swarming when a colony outgrows its space. Swarm prevention is crucial, as swarming can significantly reduce your hive’s productivity. During periods of natural population growth, such as spring, monitor the hive and ensure bees have enough space before or during a honey flow.
Adding a Second Honey Super
Proper Placement
Placement of the second honey super is crucial to ensure a healthy and productive hive. Add one box at a time and inspect the hive every 10-14 days during the honey season. This allows the beekeeper carefully monitor the hive’s progress and prevents the risk of overburdening the bees.
Monitoring Hive Activity
Maintaining a thriving beehive requires regular inspection and monitoring of its activity. Feel free to add a second brood box before adding honey supers to allow for a stronger beehive and to give the queen more space to lay eggs. Continuously monitor the hive to ensure the bees are building out the comb on the frames in both the first and second honey supers.
Be attentive to the colony’s needs and make any necessary adjustments to get your super addition timing right.
Potential Challenges
Adding a second honey super to a beehive can come with its challenges, mainly pest control, and climate.
Pest Control
One of the potential challenges when adding a second honey super is dealing with pests that may invade the beehive. Some common beehive pests include varroa mites, wax moths, and small hive beetles. Ensuring proper pest control measures are in place can help protect your bees and their honey production. Some methods to control pests include regular hive inspections, using screened bottom boards, and applying organic or chemical treatments when necessary.
Climate Factors
The climate in your area can affect the bees’ productivity and honey production. For example, excessively hot or cold temperatures can cause stress to the bees, potentially affecting their productivity. It’s essential to monitor the weather conditions and plan to add the super accordingly.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering installing a second honey super to your hive, pay attention to the frames in the top brood box. When about 7 of the 10 frames are full of brood and honey storage, it’s time to add the second super. Additionally, it’s crucial to monitor the availability of nectar and pollen, as their presence signals an increase in honey production.
While monitoring the colony growth, pay attention during the warmer months when flowers bloom and nectar and pollen are abundant. A second honey super will provide much-needed space for the thriving colony.
By keeping these factors in mind, beekeepers can optimize honey production and ensure the health of their bees. Continuously monitoring the hive and making informed decisions will lead to a successful beekeeping experience.
