Activity levels after feeding

[Chris Nother]

Hi folks, having taken the last super off one of my colonies, given there was very little by the way of stores in the brood chamber, I decided to feed immediately with invert and with Hive Alive added. The weather turned really lousy and the hive came under attack from wasps so I reduced the entrance right down but still the wasps attacked - I put out a wasp trap that has worked and there is now a little sunshine and the bees are flying like it's a summer's day (it's not!). They have taken down close to 1.5 gallons. My other three hives are strong and still have supers ripening off - will take them off this weekend - oddly they ate not flying anything like the hive I fed. Might it be the case that the feeding has just gotten them stimulated to fly more? I was hoping it wasn't just other hives robbing them but there seems to be no fighting or agitation at the hive entrance. Maybe they're just happy that they were fed!

 

[GuyNir]

Feeding definitely stimulate them. It’s as if big flow has started.

 

[Chris Nother]

Feeding definitely stimulate them. It’s as if big flow has started.

Yes, that makes sense - even though the source of the flow is inside the hive and not outside!!!!

 

[masterBK]

If the source is close ie within 100 M (even if above crownboard) then scout bees convey the info via the round dance which more or less tells their sister workers to go out and look for it without info on distance or direction so out they go all excited flying here there and everywhere looking for it until eventually enough bees have found the source to be the feeder. Best to feed in evening when flying has stopped

 

[Erichalfbee]

Agree
Place feeders in the day and fill in the evening. You can top up in the day though.

 

[madasafish]

Agree
Place feeders in the day and fill in the evening. You can top up in the day though.

Essential in my view to do all filling in the evening when you have lots of wasps around...

( I have a BIG colony nearby judging by the numbers - a real PIA)..

 

[Chris Nother]

If the source is close ie within 100 M (even if above crownboard) then scout bees convey the info via the round dance which more or less tells their sister workers to go out and look for it without info on distance or direction so out they go all excited flying here there and everywhere looking for it until eventually enough bees have found the source to be the feeder. Best to feed in evening when flying has stopped

That's very interesting and makes total sense!

 

[Chris Nother]

Essential in my view to do all filling in the evening when you have lots of wasps around...

( I have a BIG colony nearby judging by the numbers - a real PIA)..

Yes, and I am learning that slow filling makes sense as with rapid feeders you can drown the bees. I like miler feeders as you can top up an empty side when they are working on a full side!