> What would happen if the honey in the arch was scratched open with an
> excluder directly above it?  I would expect that the bees would move
> it up into the super, and expand the brood nest up to the excluder.

Scratching helps, but open, empty comb that encourages the queen to move
up against the excluder is best.

Ideally, there should be _no more than_ an inch or so of honey between
the brood and the excluder.  Thick, wide top bars are a barrier to
queens and bees as well.

Restricting the amount of volume below the excluder helps to encourage
the bees to go up.

Placing any excess honey below, as in reversing, encourages the bees to
move it up and also moves the brood closer to the lid, where the warm
air accumulates and assists in temperature control -- again I am writing
about management in cool and changeable climates.

Warm climates are different.  Near the Mexican border, Dee 'winters' her
hives with the supers on them.  Due to her management style, there is no
distinction between brood chambers and supers -- As I recall.

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