Open feeding honey to bees!?

[Hull Bees]

Saw this on the IG a local beekeeping club, Priory Bees, that apparently teach beekeeping. They were open feeding honey left on extracted frames back to bees in September. The month they posted this there was an EFB outbreak going on about 11 miles from their apiary

 

[Sutty]

Madness!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

what a bunch of absolute cuckoos

 

[Erichalfbee]

Saw this on the IG a local beekeeping club, Priory Bees, that apparently teach beekeeping. They were open feeding honey left on extracted frames back to bees in September. The month they posted this there was an EFB outbreak going on about 11 miles from their apiary

View attachment 41663

unfortunately it’s still there on their page and they are teaching it to beginners

 

[Amari]

I wonder if the local NBU inspector has any powers to intervene - in the interests of risk of spreading foul brood?

 

[Hull Bees]

They're completely inept and ignore any responses or advice

Can't even tell bees from moths.

 

[Erichalfbee]

They're completely inept and ignore any responses or advice

Can't even tell bees from moths.
View attachment 41664

To be fair it was when they first started.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

well it doesn't look like they've learnt much since

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Saw this on the IG a local beekeeping club, Priory Bees, that apparently teach beekeeping. They were open feeding honey left on extracted frames back to bees in September. The month they posted this there was an EFB outbreak going on about 11 miles from their apiary

View attachment 41663

Irrespective of the outbreak, I would NEVER advocate open feeding. There have been outbreaks around cottingham previously and not far away is a honey repacking depot. MADNESS in my book.

 

[Swarm]

 

[Sutty]

Is that you??!

 

[Hull Bees]

To be fair it was when they first started.

It was but they positioned themselves as a club that teaches from the outset.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It was but they positioned themselves as a club that teaches from the outset.

Indeed and they are not unique. My first theory course as a beginner was at an agricultural college and the sheer incompetent rubbish I was taught was unbelievable. If it wasn’t for this forum I would have lost all my bees without understanding why.

 

[Sutty]

I remember i did some sort of course, I think it would have been 1988, can't remember much though they did teach larval development. It was pre-varroa.

 

[ericbeaumont]

tell bees from moths

Few varroa on those wax moth larvae.

 

[Midget Gem]

In the autumn I see thousands of bees, wasps and other insects on the large patches of ivy we have. You can hear the noise of them from the other side of the house. I've often wondered, does this have the same disease risk as open feeding?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

In the autumn I see thousands of bees, wasps and other insects on the large patches of ivy we have. You can hear the noise of them from the other side of the house. I've often wondered, does this have the same disease risk as open feeding?

no, the fact that open feeding offers a bulk of 'free' honey (rather than nectar) in a small area means they pile in tightly to get at the food and may even fight over it

 

[Midget Gem]

Thanks. Been meaning to ask someone that for ages but I only ever think of it when no-one is around!

 

[pargyle]

no, the fact that open feeding offers a bulk of 'free' honey (rather than nectar) in a small area means they pile in tightly to get at the food and may even fight over it

I accidentally left a black garden tray with some spilled honey out when I was called away and forgot about it until the following day ... when I went back to it there were scores of dead bees on the tray. I assumed killing each other to get at the honey ... never again. Tragic sight.

 

[Penninetrader]

As everyone is aware, the pile on in a small area by large numbers of bees and wasps of unknown origin is exactly the activity of robber bees. The thought that an individual beek can control the spread of anything seems illogical and especially so when taking into account swarming and or feral bees. The goal imo is to develop colonies with good resistance and maintain hygiene practice equal to that which we would like of our bees. I am probably fortunate in not being surrounded by large numbers of kept colonies. When I know I will be breaking down a hive and having a good sort out I know that it will leave them exposed enough to attract robbers, My way of distraction is to place pebbles in a tray and pour syrup onto it, the tray being about 40ft away from where I am working. ?Thus far it seems to have worked a treat. When I observe the comings and goings it is quite easy to distinguish the foreigners via their differing arrival and dispatch routes from that taken by my girls. It does give an indicator who else is on your patch. As for aggression when feeding, I have never observed that. Again, I accept that my location is fortunate.