Fall box/frame management

[reedyfork]

This is my first fall with several colonies in double deeps, due to either combining colonies or just a few really strong colonies. All my others have been consolidated down to a single deep.

Question: I just discovered that a few of my double deeps have all their brood (small patches), resources, and tons of honey in the top, with the bottom deep almost 100% empty (other than a few cells of pollen). Is there any point at all to leaving that empty box on the bottom going into winter?

[Wally]

I just saw this posted recently. I won't say by whom, but I agree with it totally.

"I am a big believer now in reducing the size of the hive down as much as possible in the fall." WINK WINK

[reedyfork]

HA, are you saying I should follow my own advice??? That's actually the answer I was hoping for though. I couldn't imagine any reason they would move down into that box, but needed someone else to confirm.

I like to be done cracking open my hives by Halloween-ish, so hopefully can take care of this in the next week.

Thanks Wally!