Feeding

[RogueDrone]

The bees are not taking the 2:1 feed down help.

I have fed the bees as normal syrup in trays (milner type) and several colonies are not working it any suggestions.

colin

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Seems to be the same for me - maybe they just don't want it yet - the bees are still foraging quite a bit - ivy is in full flow so maybe they're more interested in that

 

[fiftyjon]

How much stores do they have?

Perhaps they need no more.

 

[Skyhook]

Have you tried dribbling some down into the hive? sometimes they dont seem to recognise it as feed until they've had to clean some up.

 

[stubee]

have been told that some bees up and down the Uk are not taking surgar syrup this year but will take other feeds

 

[Arfermo]

I'm giving Ambrosia and it's going down a treat. Basically same as 2:1 sugar syrup but better. If hefting indicates they are light, how about giving fondant so that they don't have to use as much enegy processing it as compared with syrup or any nectar they can find?

 

[oliver90owner]

have been told that some bees up and down the Uk are not taking surgar syrup this year but will take other feeds

Quite likely a simple function of temperature.

 

[Poly Hive]

Not taking syrup... a combination of temperature and poor feeding systems.

Why would bees not take feed?

Too cold. No space, they are not aware it is there. Or all three.

Too cold, use a frame feeder.

No space. They dinna need it do they?

Dribble a LITTLE, a desert spoon amount down so the bees can literally link the dribble to the feed.

Forget all the above and feed fondant.

PH

 

[northernsoul]

Yes I agree. Too late for syrup now.
We've had two frosts already and the forecast is for a below average Autumn temperature.

 

[Luminos]

Yes I agree. Too late for syrup now.
We've had two frosts already and the forecast is for a below average Autumn temperature.

But you are in Notts, and the OP is in West Wales...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

But you are in Notts, and the OP is in West Wales...

a few cold mornings but no frost - the weekend was glorious - T shirt weather and it's damp but mild today (some bees out and about)

 

[itma]

Yes, the type of feeder will affect the temperature it will be taken at. And the temperature will also affect whether or not the bees explore to discover the food. Thus insulating around and over a top-feeder should help, sometimes at least!
Dribbling is definitely helpful with any type of rapid feeder, where the bees have to come up and over. I stick a 'dunked' leaf into the feeder 'throat' to provide a 'sweetened' ladder for the bees...



Does anyone add a trace of (known-healthy-colony) honey to their syrup, to give it a little bee-attractant scent and flavour?
/ something I've heard of, but not had to do ...

 

[drex]

One ( small) colony was not intersted in a rapid feeder last week, despite it being good warm weather. Gobbled it up from frame feeder

 

[blackie]

why does feeding fondant use less energy than 2.1 syrup as in post 6 ?

 

[oliver90owner]

why does feeding fondant use less energy than 2.1 syrup as in post 6 ?

Water content, of the feeds and the resultant stores, is the clue.

 

[Poly Hive]

Bees normally find syrup no bother.

PH

 

[blackie]

still not clear to me

 

[Poly Hive]

What is not clear? If it is fondant versus syrup then please don thinking cap and ponder water.

Fondant no or very little water.

Syrup............

Which is cheaper for the colony in terms of energy?

PH

 

[itma]

I think that the idea is that it is easier for the bees to add some water, rather than drive it off.

But my understanding is that, in autumn, given a kilo of fondant or a kilo of sugar in 2:1... its the syrup that would be most likely, usually, to have disappeared first. Regardless of the energy requirement, the syrup is more easily transported away.

 

[blackie]

thought the water in syrup was a benefit over a slab of fondant with no water in it