Hello, I want to try putting the last super under the brood box this winter with the aim that the bees will move the honey up into the brood box. I will then take is away early spring and put it on the top above the QE and hopefully before she starts laying in it ( not the end of the world if she does). I want to use Apiguard this month and will remove the last super so that the wax doesn't get tainted and also to improve effect. What is the latest I can put a super back before the bees wont be in the mood to moving stores about?
Hi Woodgatherer
Under supering as you describe has several merits and you should find the brood safely clustered in the top box as long as you don't leave it on too long in the Spring. I would simply put it underneath as soon as the Apiguard has finished, no point in waiting. Is the last box full of uncapped frames or do you just prefer to overwinter on honey? You may find that they need encouraging to empty it initially by using a sheet of plastic between the super and the brood chamber with a single finger sized hole in it. That way they "rob out" the honey into the nest brood chamber.
You may still need to consider feeding in addition to a super of honey. Depending on where you are, be aware that they may have little nectar income coming in but the adult bees will still will need supplies and they will also hopefully be raising bees for winter. One super may not be enough to last them from now until possibly April next year and it may need supplementing. Let us know how it works and good luck.