fiat500bee
House Bee
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2020
- Messages
- 362
- Reaction score
- 252
- Location
- Nairn, Highland
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 2
Everything I have read about bees so far indicates that the collective "bee-brain" works to make the best out of every situation that confronts it. The concept that they thrive despite our well-intentioned efforts is found in many writings. But one exception to this is when it comes to feeding. Starting from scratch I would like to have them draw out as much foundation as possible; not necessarily for essential use now, but to give us a flying start next year. I have some bees who are proving to have a phenomenal ability to produce comb from a generous syrup supply, but obviously they then simultaneously stash the stuff in the newly manufactured cells as pretend "honey".
I can see that there is an "art" to getting the balance of feeding right and I think Ihad better give them a break from it to be certain that we max out the brood rearing at this time of year. But I'm wondering if bees are so sugar crazy that they really will store sugar to the detriment of brood production space or whether, if given sufficient undrawn frames, they will anticipate the need for egg-ready cells and leave the appropriate space?
I can see that there is an "art" to getting the balance of feeding right and I think Ihad better give them a break from it to be certain that we max out the brood rearing at this time of year. But I'm wondering if bees are so sugar crazy that they really will store sugar to the detriment of brood production space or whether, if given sufficient undrawn frames, they will anticipate the need for egg-ready cells and leave the appropriate space?
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