- Joined
- Sep 7, 2015
- Messages
- 792
- Reaction score
- 60
- Location
- East Yorkshire
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 16
Took a super off yesterday and did the shake test only a couple of frames dripped which I returned to the hive.
All were unsealed (Rape) apart from a couple of small patches. When home I tested a bit on the hydrometer at 18% which I now realise came from the cut off bits which I had unsealed. Extracted 20 pounds and did another test and all 22%. Another lesson learnt, to use the hydrometer on site to test the water content.
My plan was to make soft set. Last year I extracted before this date and all was below 20%. I don't like mead, don't cook with honey, too much for me to eat and I hesitate feeding back now in a feeder or mess about putting back into comb... which would encourage robbing.
I don't want to throw it away, so I am wondering if I keep it to September will it be ok then to top feed it back to the bees?
Or any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
All were unsealed (Rape) apart from a couple of small patches. When home I tested a bit on the hydrometer at 18% which I now realise came from the cut off bits which I had unsealed. Extracted 20 pounds and did another test and all 22%. Another lesson learnt, to use the hydrometer on site to test the water content.
My plan was to make soft set. Last year I extracted before this date and all was below 20%. I don't like mead, don't cook with honey, too much for me to eat and I hesitate feeding back now in a feeder or mess about putting back into comb... which would encourage robbing.
I don't want to throw it away, so I am wondering if I keep it to September will it be ok then to top feed it back to the bees?
Or any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks