A honey super is a part of a beehive that is used to collect honey. The most common variety is the super with a depth of 6 5/8 inches in the length and width dimensions of a Langstroth hive.
Honey supers may contain 8-10 frames. Western honeybees collect nectar and store the processed nectar in the honeycomb of the frames. When the honeycomb is full, the bees will cap the comb with beeswax. Beekeepers will take the full honey supers and extract the honey. Periods when there is an abundant nectar source available and bees are quickly bringing back the nectar, are called a honey flow. During a honey flow, beekeepers may put several honey supers onto a hive so the bees have enough storage space.
Honey supers are removed in the fall when the honey is extracted and before the hive is winterized.
Langstroth Hive Dimensions
Using 3/4 inch wood the outside dimensions are 19″ 7/8 x 16″ 1/4 x height In the metrric system 25mm wood may be used which makes the outside dimensions 515mm x 425mm x height.
| Size or Type | Inside (18 3/8″ x 14 5/8″) and height in inches | Metric 465 x 375 and height in millimeter | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 frame Comb Honey Super | 4 3/4 | 121 | Ross Rounds need 4 1/2″ Super |
| 10 frame Shallow Super | 5 3/4 | 146 | |
| 10 frame Medium depth Illinois Super | 6 5/8 | 168 | |
| 10 frame Deep | 9 5/8 | 244 |
Sources:
- 10-frame Langstroth Beehive Beesource.com; accessed Mar 2006
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