My first hive

[Webby]

Mine are bringing in pollen and gulping down syrup like there's no tomorrow. I feel if they're still taking it they must still need it?

 

[Millet]

Mine are bringing in pollen and gulping down syrup like there's no tomorrow. I feel if they're still taking it they must still need it?

Same here i only stopped feeding mine last year when they stopped taking the syrup, after they had stopped i put the super that had uncapped honey + sugar under the brood box.

 

[Webby]

Same here i only stopped feeding mine last year when they stopped taking the syrup, after they had stopped i put the super that had uncapped honey + sugar under the brood box.

Ivy you think? Gotta be I suppose, I'm in the south east.

 

[manek]

Well, I took another look at the contact feeder today, just three days after I filled it with 2:1. It was empty - they've stored it already - so I refilled it with two more litres. I've now given them six litres of 2:1 in the last 10 days, and could probably have given more had I looked earlier after the first 2:1 feed.

I'm now thinking that I shall continue doing this until they stop flying, then add candy.

However, I'm also concerned that they might run out of space. Last time I inspected, three days ago, they had three brood box frames unfilled (there's no super). Might they make it through winter without needing a super?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've now given them six litres of 2:1 in the last 10 days, and could probably have given more had I looked earlier after the first 2:1 feed.

Some of my hives have taken six litres down in two three days - you're better off using a bigger feeder rather than piddling around with thimblefuls of syrup

I'm now thinking that I shall continue doing this until they stop flying,

Give it to them until they stop taking it down - they'll stop when they've had enough

then add candy.

However, I'm also concerned that they might run out of space.

This is when you have to start thinking about your beekeeping - why put candy on immediately after they've stored a load of syrup? keep it for emergency feeding if they feel a bit light after Christmas (and buy some baker's fondant - don't pay through the nose for any fancy nancy bespoke bee 'candy'.
bees should have about 40lb of stores in the hive when they bed down for winter.

Last time I inspected, three days ago

Time for inspecting is way long past, they need peace to batten down for winter.

Might they make it through winter without needing a super?

Plenty of colonies do - it's a bit late now to think about putting more space on anyway.

 

[manek]

Thanks! This is the kind of experienced advice I need...

 

[beeno]

Hi Manek,
They will not need a super as they have the empty frames to fill plus they will store a lot of food in the vacated brood frames. Each brood frame full of stores weighs approx. 5lb. It will happen just keep feeding!

 

[stenyacki]

Well, I took another look at the contact feeder today, just three days after I filled it with 2:1. It was empty - they've stored it already - so I refilled it with two more litres. I've now given them six litres of 2:1 in the last 10 days, and could probably have given more had I looked earlier after the first 2:1 feed.

Hi.

Somewhere recently I've read that it is better to pile the winter syrup into them, so that they store it immediately.

Feeding in dribs and drabs makes them think there's a flow on and the queen keeps laying.

What do people think ?

 

[beeno]

Hi.

Somewhere recently I've read that it is better to pile the winter syrup into them, so that they store it immediately.

Feeding in dribs and drabs makes them think there's a flow on and the queen keeps laying.

What do people think ?

Yes, that can be a problem with mild weather and particularly with Italian progeny. However, don't forget that winter bees are those borne in September/October. More October this year I would think with the weather. Also, pollen will be the limiting factor in due course.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

it is better to pile the winter syrup into them, so that they store it immediately.

Yes

 

[manek]

Quick look at the hive today: they're flying like crazy, lots of activity, so that's good to see.

I've been piling in the 2:1 over the last couple of weeks but today, there was still a few millimetres left in the contact feeder, four days after the last top-up, compared to the last couple of weeks when they've been taking down two litres every 2-3 days.

So although there was still a lot of activity around the feeder, I'm wondering if they're slowing down because the hive is full. Anyway, I shall make another 5-litre batch, just in case, and if they don't need it, it'll keep....

 

[manek]

And there's still lots of activity today, though I'm not sure what they're foraging for, as they aren't bringing back pollen, as far as I can see.

State of the hive: last of the 2:1 almost gone, I'll take the feeder off in a couple of days. Insulation is already installed.