A super, short for superstructure, is an additional box placed on top of a beehive to increase the colony's internal volume. These boxes typically contain frames and serve as the designated space for bees to store surplus resources, including honey, pollen, and brood.
Think of the super as the colony's "warehouse." While the lower boxes serve as the daily living quarters, the super provides the essential expansion space needed to capture the abundance of a high nectar flow.
The Primary Function: Storage and Harvest
Accommodating Nectar Flow
The most critical role of a super is to handle periods of high nectar flow. When resources are abundant, the colony requires extra space rapidly to store the influx of nectar before it is cured into honey.
The Harvest Zone
For the beekeeper, the super defines the harvest area. Because these boxes are placed above the brood nest, they allow you to collect surplus honey without depriving the bees of the stores they need for winter or disturbing the queen's primary laying area.
Physical Characteristics
Structural Design
Supers are designed to be modular and stackable. They sit directly on top of the brood boxes (the bottom-most boxes) and are filled with frames that encourage bees to build comb in an organized manner.
Size Differences
A super is often slightly shorter in height than the standard brood box. This visual distinction helps the beekeeper quickly identify which boxes are intended for permanent residence and which are intended for surplus storage.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Weight Factor
A major consideration when using supers is the physical demand they place on the beekeeper. A single super box, once fully built out and filled with honey, can weigh up to 60 pounds.
Handling Challenges
This weight makes hive inspections and harvesting physically strenuous. Beekeepers must plan for the lifting required to remove these boxes, especially when stacking multiple supers on a thriving hive.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To effectively utilize supers in your apiary, consider your specific management objectives:
- If your primary focus is maximizing harvest: Ensure supers are added as soon as the nectar flow begins to provide the bees with immediate storage space for surplus honey.
- If your primary focus is physical safety: Be aware that a full super can weigh 60 pounds, and consider your lifting capabilities before stacking them too high.
The super is the tool that transforms a strong nectar flow into a harvestable reward.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Function | Additional storage space for surplus honey and resources |
| Placement | Stackable boxes placed on top of the brood nest |
| Visual ID | Typically shorter than standard brood boxes for easy identification |
| Harvest Benefit | Allows honey collection without disturbing the queen or winter stores |
| Weight Consideration | A full super can weigh up to 60 lbs, requiring physical lifting |
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