What is the difference between top and bottom supering?

The distinction between top and bottom supering in beekeeping primarily relates to how the honey supers are added to the hive and the implications of each method for colony management.

When examining the concept behind bottom supering being more natural, it reflects the bees’ instinct to build their hives upwards as they develop. By placing supers at the bottom, bees are more inclined to move upwards naturally, creating a scenario that aligns with their instinctive behavior. This approach can mimic the way bees store honey in wild colonies, which typically have the brood chamber at the bottom and honey stores above.

On the other hand, top supering is more commonly practiced in modern beekeeping. Beekeepers place honey supers on top of the existing hive structures, which may be seen as more efficient from a management standpoint. However, this method may not leverage the bees' natural behaviors as effectively as bottom supering does.

The idea that top supering may be better for beekeepers stems from its practicality and the fact that it allows beekeepers to monitor and manage the hive more easily, as they can inspect the height of the supers without disturbing the brood. Additionally, it can facilitate easier honey harvesting, as supers on top can be removed without having to disturb the