What should be done if bees won’t use the honey super? Boost Your Hive’s Productivity

When bees refuse to use the honey super, it’s often a sign of underlying issues related to hive management, colony strength, or environmental factors. The primary causes include an improperly placed queen excluder, insufficient colony population, or lack of incentive for bees to expand into the super. Addressing these involves assessing hive strength, ensuring proper excluder placement, and potentially using feeding techniques to encourage comb-building. Below is a detailed breakdown of actionable steps to resolve this common beekeeping challenge.

Key Points Explained:

1. Evaluate Hive Strength

   • A colony must have enough worker bees to maintain the brood nest and expand into the honey super.
   • If the hive is weak (e.g., fewer than 5–6 frames covered with bees), reduce the space by removing the super temporarily. Overextension can stress the colony.

2. Check the Queen Excluder

   • A poorly fitted or damaged queen excluder may block worker bees from accessing the super. Ensure it’s securely placed with no gaps.
   • Some beekeepers temporarily remove the excluder to allow freer movement, then reinstall it once bees start drawing comb in the super.

3. Provide Incentives to Build Comb

   • Feed sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) to simulate nectar flow, encouraging bees to draw wax and expand upward. Place the feeder inside the hive to avoid robbing or disease risks.
   • Avoid external honey feeding, as store-bought or foreign honey can introduce pathogens like American foulbrood.

4. Ensure Proper Super Placement

   • Add the honey super only when the brood box is 70–80% full. Premature addition may overwhelm the bees.
   • Use "drawn comb" (pre-built wax frames) in the super to reduce the bees’ workload. Foundationless frames require more energy to construct.

5. Monitor Environmental Factors

   • Nectar scarcity or cold weather can deter super usage. Assess local forage conditions and consider supplemental feeding during dearth periods.
   • Hive location matters: Ensure adequate sunlight and wind protection to maintain optimal hive temperature for wax production.

6. Patience and Gradual Expansion

   • Bees may take weeks to accept a new super. Regularly inspect (every 7–10 days) but avoid excessive disturbance.
   • If no progress after 3–4 weeks, reassess hive health for pests (e.g., varroa mites) or disease, which can divert energy from comb-building.

By systematically addressing these factors, beekeepers can create conditions that encourage bees to utilize the honey super effectively, ultimately boosting honey production and colony vitality.

Summary Table:

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