rae
Field Bee
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
- Messages
- 826
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Berkshire
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 8 and 3 nucs...it's swarm time...
As a bit of a beginner, I have a question about feeding bees in the early spring.
Our two colonies have come through the winter quite happily, and are flying well - loads of bees and loads of pollen going in. We haven't looked inside yet as I don't want to get the frames out until it is warm.
One of the hives was starting to get lighter (we're new to this, so we really aren't experts in the art of hefting), so for the last few weeks we've been lifting the roof at the week end, and leaving a lump of fondant on the crown board. (One of the bee escapes has been removed)
In previous weeks, we've checked the fondant and there has been a bit left, so we added a small amount more. This week end, it was all gone, with hordes of bees on the crownboard hoovering up the remaining crystals.
I'm working on the basis that if the bees are hungry, they will take the fondant, and once nectar becomes available, they will ignore it. What I don't want to happen is for them to be taking the fondant and turning it onto honey!
In terms of flowers, we have lots of pollen (hazel, some willow) some crocuses, but I can't think of much in the way of nectar sources at the moment.
Are we doing the right thing here?
Our two colonies have come through the winter quite happily, and are flying well - loads of bees and loads of pollen going in. We haven't looked inside yet as I don't want to get the frames out until it is warm.
One of the hives was starting to get lighter (we're new to this, so we really aren't experts in the art of hefting), so for the last few weeks we've been lifting the roof at the week end, and leaving a lump of fondant on the crown board. (One of the bee escapes has been removed)
In previous weeks, we've checked the fondant and there has been a bit left, so we added a small amount more. This week end, it was all gone, with hordes of bees on the crownboard hoovering up the remaining crystals.
I'm working on the basis that if the bees are hungry, they will take the fondant, and once nectar becomes available, they will ignore it. What I don't want to happen is for them to be taking the fondant and turning it onto honey!
In terms of flowers, we have lots of pollen (hazel, some willow) some crocuses, but I can't think of much in the way of nectar sources at the moment.
Are we doing the right thing here?