bees not feeding

[bbadger07]

can anybody suggests why bees are not feeding, ive got jumbo feeders on which i successfully used last year but they jst not bothering. it could be in my humble opion that its due to me treating them for varroa with apilife var and the weather has been very wet and windy, not many sunny days, i may have to change my feeding methods, any replies which are constructive and not silly will be appreciated

 

[drstitson]

have you trickled syrup down into the hive or added lemon or similar scent to the syrup? they may not realise it is there.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Its common for them to be put off feed when thymol treatment is on. Solution will depend on how light they are and how much longer you are planning on treating for

 

[bbadger07]

i had try to tickle if got som lomon grass oil i could apply a drop of that to the contact section

 

[For want of a better word]

any replies which are constructive and not silly will be appreciated


of 9 hives....
4 taking down Thymolated 2;1 as if there was no tomorrow
3 gently sipping
1 not too bothered ..............
and one ignoring it completely!

all going crazy on the ivy!!

Q do they have space for more stores?

 

[enrico]

I want some ivy!!!!!!

 

[AndreaW]

any replies which are constructive and not silly will be appreciated


of 9 hives....
4 taking down Thymolated 2;1 as if there was no tomorrow
3 gently sipping
1 not too bothered ..............
and one ignoring it completely!

all going crazy on the ivy!!

Q do they have space for more stores?

Your last Q is what is making me panic. I have, as a newbie, been feeding feeding feeding - and my guzzling girls have been taking taking taking even though I am apiguarding still. Now starting to panic that they will run out of room and swarm. My this is a steep steep learning curve!

 

[Midland Beek]

Want a reason why a colony might not be taking syrup? .... Queenlessness.

 

[chycarne]

MB indeed you may well be right but
a) we have a hive with queen and they are not interested in syrup but very happy with fondant
b) another hive that is the reverse (and has a queen)
c) the rest taking in syrup with increasing enthusiasm.
no i dont want to read Q- and while it may be a reason it isnt the only one and is going to cause more panic to those that dont need it. perhaps fairer would be to ask what are your colonies like have you seen a Q etc etc, not just dropping a bomb...
tend to expect better from you!
gripe over
an yes
i do realise you have only offered a reason.. but really
ah well
now i have to go and look through two hives just to reasssure myself... .

 

[MuswellMetro]

if you have some of THEIR honey trickle a desert spoonfull in the feeder tunnel

all my colonies are feeding with thymol on, except one,,,,,got them to feed by adding quarter of a jar of THEIR honey to the feeder

PS EDIT i am also treating with fumidil B so more difficult to get them feeding

 

[bbadger07]

yes they have been united and brood combs in very good order with plenty of stores and pollen

 

[bbadger07]

no they definately there a week ago as i marked and clipped them

 

[bbadger07]

yes im trickle both hive every day for past 3, so may go to trying lemon oil to attract them to the feed

 

[bbadger07]

they into their 3rd week of treatment on a second dosage a week ago, im trying to treat over 4 weeks still getting substantial drops at the moment but they getting less now

 

[sherwood]

Try adding a small amount of recovered honey to your syrup. Sugar has no aroma I find that where previously I have found hives not taking from Jumbo feeders which I also use the addition of a small amount of recovered honey that has been boiled in water (1part honey to 3parts water) to the mix about 200 mil to a jumbo feeder will start them feeding