Bee Foraging

[Swift Nick]

I see bees bringing in pollen to my hives, looks almost white, other bees are coming in without pollen. Is it a safe assumption that the pollen & nectar go hand in hand? Therefore my bees coming in without pollen are finding nectar, or is that not so?
I ask because I have two hives recently transferred from 6 frame nuc's, I stopped feeding after 2 weeks due to a lot of wasp interest and also starting Apiguard treatment. They appear to have enough stores, I just wondered if the nectar was available to keep the stores topped up and support expansion.
Thanks Nick

 

[Wingy]

The foraging bees will be bringing in pollen seen on the bees back legs, comes in a variety of colours, this is stored and used to feed brood.
Nectar is sucked up and stored in the bees second stomach where on returning to the hive it's regurgitated, this is stored and with a little work will become honey. Bees also bring water in the same way.
Although a bee can bring in both pollen & nectar at the same time they are limited by the total weight they can carry so I think (may be wrong) that they tent to bring in one or the other hence some bees appear to return empty (no bulge on their back legs) but may be full of nectar instead
Wingy

 

[Poly Hive]

Nectar loaded bees will approach the hive bum down, if you look it is quite distinctive.

If your bees are3 on the HB at the moment as some of mine are3 they appear to be dusted white from the pollen.

PH

 

[Jambo]

I have observed the same recently and have been wondering the same thing - a thought that occurred to me was that the demand for pollen is probably reducing now as laying will be slowing down, another factor?

 

[Millet]

I have also seen undertaker bees carrying dead bees the same weight as themselves out of the hive and dropping them outside and returning empty.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have observed the same recently and have been wondering the same thing - a thought that occurred to me was that the demand for pollen is probably reducing now as laying will be slowing down, another factor?

It depends.
Mine are all out on bringing pollen having endured a two week confinement due to bad weather

 

[Swift Nick]

Thanks for the replies, mine have cleared out most of the first dose of Apiguard, so as they are small colonies I am going to feed 1:1 syrup for 5 days before the next Apiguard is put in the hive. Just to take the load off of them a bit and help them build more comb for storing 2:1 winter feed.
Nick

 

[Curley]

Hi Nick

Sorry thisis a bit late but I wouldn't take a break with the apiguard - need to keep it on to get the thymol in the hive through a full brood cycle. If you are desperate to feed then do that along side but it is not ideal.

 

[Swift Nick]

Hi Nick

Sorry thisis a bit late but I wouldn't take a break with the apiguard - need to keep it on to get the thymol in the hive through a full brood cycle. If you are desperate to feed then do that along side but it is not ideal.

I didn't explain too well, I am still keeping with the Apiguard schedule of one dose for 2 weeks, then a second dose for another 2 weeks. But the bees (appear to have) removed the first dose of Apiguard in about 7 days, so before dose 2 starts I am giving a short feed for 5-7 days.
Thank you, Nick

 

[Erichalfbee]

I didn't explain too well, I am still keeping with the Apiguard schedule of one dose for 2 weeks, then a second dose for another 2 weeks. But the bees (appear to have) removed the first dose of Apiguard in about 7 days, so before dose 2 starts I am giving a short feed for 5-7 days.
Thank you, Nick

I think they will take the feed once they are used to thesmell

 

[Curley]

Hi Nick

Thanks for the clarification. You plan sounds ok but I'm still not entirely sure as Vita's instructions say this

Place the opened tray face upwards in the top of brood frames, preferably centred over the colony.
After 10 days examine the tray and if it is almost empty, replace with a second tray. If there is product left in the tray after 10 days leave until day 14 and then replace.
Leave the second tray in position for a further 2-4 weeks and treatment has been completed (duration of treatment therefore lasts 4-6 weeks).

It is slightly confusing as the FAQS say add the second tray after two weeks and don't mention the 10 day thing but I think the advice in italics is slightly later in date.
So I would treat alongside the feeding if feeding is needed and get the second tray on at day 10 if you can otherwise two weeks and not worry.

 

[Swift Nick]

Hi Nick

Thanks for the clarification. You plan sounds ok but I'm still not entirely sure as Vita's instructions say this

Place the opened tray face upwards in the top of brood frames, preferably centred over the colony.
After 10 days examine the tray and if it is almost empty, replace with a second tray. If there is product left in the tray after 10 days leave until day 14 and then replace.
Leave the second tray in position for a further 2-4 weeks and treatment has been completed (duration of treatment therefore lasts 4-6 weeks).

It is slightly confusing as the FAQS say add the second tray after two weeks and don't mention the 10 day thing but I think the advice in italics is slightly later in date.
So I would treat alongside the feeding if feeding is needed and get the second tray on at day 10 if you can otherwise two weeks and not worry.

That's a good point, the faqs and instructions differ a little, my bees cleaned out the Apiguard pretty quickly, today is day 10 & the rain is due to stop later, so I think I will add dose 2 tonight & do a quick stores check at the same time & only feed if absolutely necessary. Thank you for the advice, Nick