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Return to the Bees and Beekeeping Forum | Post a Follow-Up

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Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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Posted by bdodd444 Z7 No Virginia (My Page) on
Wed, Jun 14, 06 at 10:28

I have a very strong hive which is jam packed with bees. The problem is that all of the bees are staying in the two deep supers and not going up into the honey supers. I don't know if it is the queen excluder which is deterring them or what. A few bees have made it up and drawn out a few combs, but nothing else. Any advice would be appreciated to get them up there. Thanks.

Brian

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RE: Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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Reading to George Imirie, master beekeeper, says that you have to add the queen excluder when bees are working confortable in the super.
You add the supers, when bees are working on it, add excluder.

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RE: Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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Sometimes you could bait them with a frame from the brood below for a week or so.
To really get them going up, you need a good honey flow.
Konrad

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RE: Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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You can trick them into going into the supers by adding an entrance above the excluder and between some or all of the supers. Brushy Mountain sells entrances (10 frame Imirie Shim) for $2.00 each. Bulk discounts too. I have them on all my hives. Also provides additional ventalation. Bees will use them immediately.

I have found the bees will fill the gap between the supers where you have the shim with comb, so you have to occasionally clean the extra comb out.

James Henderson
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Here is a link that might be useful: Brushy Mountain Bee Farm

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RE: Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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Thank you very much to everyone for your replies. I removed the queen excluder as suggested and they are already moving up. Thanks again.

Brian

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RE: Bees won't go into Honey Supers

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  • Posted by ccrb1 z5 IND (My Page) on
    Wed, Jun 28, 06 at 23:07

Really, the queen excluder is not needed if you're not making comb honey. Some brood in honey frames is not a big deal although it makes them more attractive to wax moths during winter storage.

The loss due to a queen excluder can be significant.

  
 

 

 


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