Even though we’re just entering spring, it’s time to plan for supering. In Greenwich, swarm season and supering both start around May 1st. The reason we need to plan for swarm season and supering in tandem is because both are triggered by large quantities of nectar becoming available and bees out in full force collecting and bringing nectar into the hives.
Betterbee’s head beekeeper, Anne Frey, gives clear and timely advice on the best time to add supers to your hives and a few variations on the theme. Do you have foundation in your supers, or do you have comb? Do you have a queen excluder that will prevent the queen from entering super(s) and laying eggs up there? What if you have some foundation and some comb? What about feeding?
Click on the link to read the full article: Supering To Prevent Swarming