Invert sugar or not?

[Luminos]

Crikey, this is getting serious!

Since when did handbags at dawn count as weapons

 

[madasafish]

Since when did handbags at dawn count as weapons

In the interests of improving the species , I am sure we could stretch to machine guns and grenade launchers...

 

[Terry G]

I have the feeling that your package is in a full hive (not a 5 or 6 frame nuc).
And if you have a contact feeder direct on the topbars, then you'll probably have a super employed to give headspace for the feeder --- and that means that you would have a pretty big cold volume for them to set up home in.
Wax drawing needs the bees to get hot (close to 40C), and that is made easier by making their environment warmer. The heat (above ambient) comes only from the bees. Fixed number of bees, smaller volume, better insulated ... hotter, so easier faster wax drawing.

So, I'd suggest
- diluting the syrup a bit
- putting the contact feeder over a cover board hole
- closing off any other coverboard hole
- insulating over and around the feeder (old pillow or blanket?)
plus and its only because the next few days are likely to be particularly cold
- temporarily closing (and draughtproofing) the open mesh floor for a few days
and in any case
- only use a reduced entrance (good idea for most of the year)

I've no idea what quantity of bees you have from your package (so I can't give an opinion), but I'm sure some here that would suggest that "dummying down" onto fewer frames would also be helpful.

In summary, if they are cosy and have access to nectar/thin-syrup then they will draw out some frames and make themselves a home.

Fun isn't it?

To my untutored eye that looks like good sense. Yes, the package is in a full BB with 10 frames. Bees were supplied and installed by a very experienced local beek. The feeder was originally on the crown board but when it was clear after a few days that the bees were not taking the Ambrosia he moved it down onto the frames (as, I believe, a lot of people did in the winter). After 4 days in this position they still don't appear to be taking syrup but they are bringing in tons of pollen and there are lots of little white scales (wax?) on the ground under the hive. Based on your advice and my own instinct I would be inclined to thin the syrup and move the feeder back onto the crown board (maybe trickle a little over the frames?). However, that will be the 4th time the hive has been opened in two weeks and I'm really worried the disturbance will outweigh the advantage. Maybe I should just leave them to get on with it...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Since when did handbags at dawn count as weapons

I am sure we could stretch to machine guns and grenade launchers...

Can't wait to ask about winter hive ventilation ;-)

For a newbie you're learning fast - i think that counts as a radley hand grenade!!

 

[user 6228]

Your full of crap as per normal when it come to this topic.

Try reading this Journal of Apicultural Science Here

There is strong evidence that inverted syrup is beneficial to the bees you just refuse to see it because you don't want to.

I've read throughit a few times... considering the amount of effect that colony heat loss has on hive health and build up, One would have thought they would have taken steps to eliminate any distortion this would have had e.g. ensuring examples of each sugar feed were in each apiary. I could find no evidence of this.

 

[Finman]

.
So I see that you are collecting army that you have rights to use 3-fold expencive sugar to bees.
And France is joining the army.

Sorry, I did not knew that this human rights issue. Sorry to France, to independent Scotland and to Tamar Valley. When bees convert 3 money inverted sugar to 6 money honey, idea is not bad at all.

Don't loose your personal hand bags!

.

 

[Luminos]

France joining an army will probably be a first, lol

 

[Finman]

France joining an army will probably be a first, lol

ei mekään jäädä tuleen makaamaan
.

.

 

[MandF]

.. and there are lots of little white scales (wax?) on the ground under the hive.

The wax scales show they are indeed drawing comb.

If the bees need the syrup they will take it, it looks like they are getting enough nectar for their needs at the moment.

 

[Winker]

.
So I see that you are collecting army that you have rights to use 3-fold expencive sugar to bees.
And France is joining the army.

Sorry, I did not knew that this human rights issue. Sorry to France, to independent Scotland and to Tamar Valley. When bees convert 3 money inverted sugar to 6 money honey, idea is not bad at all.

Don't loose your personal hand bags!

.

I would just like to add, I am now paying less for the inverted Syrup than for the Sugar to make it. So its cheaper than sugar and pre mixed for you. Win, Win situation I would say

 

[Finman]

I would just like to add, I am now paying less for the inverted Syrup than for the Sugar to make it. So its cheaper than sugar and pre mixed for you. Win, Win situation I would say

that is even better.

Only thing what I have learned in this forum is that old pulsator loundry machine is splended to mix sugar soluting. Since then I have used it. My mother died and she left after herself a pulsator machine.

 

[Winker]

that is even better.

Only thing what I have learned in this forum is that old pulsator loundry machine is splended to mix sugar soluting. Since then I have used it. My mother died and she left after herself a pulsator machine.

I am learning every day! I got 2 ton of Ambrosia syrup delivered a few weeks back and im now wondering if I can use it in my hand crafted beer recipe in place of sugar. Going to try this week and make a nice pils lager using the Ambrosia, see where it goes