Starving?

[Swarm]

What if this, what if that, is "wotif" syndrome, loads of speculation
largely based on false premise - it is almost a religion for some.

My apoligies for that lapse in not addressing this earlier as I had the
topic turned off following the ignorant bigotry in post #12. I'll cop
a smidgeon of snideness but I refuse to abide being named a liar.
I should have reported that post however in my limited time online
I have learnt not to presume Admins have the time nor inclination to
play kindergarten cop.
... enuff said.

Reading on I note you are pumping lollywater into a colony attempting
to survive, not "grow" but simply use their own resources to work within
the conditions. Where there is a flow on - of any magnitude - they are not
starving, it is impossible regardless of *your* expectations.
What that lollywater is doing is providing a false impetus and so creating
more work, consuming more energy, and throughly buggering up their
stability in progress.
And all of this only because of a poor selection of defensive genetics which
as you'll find out - if they survive - will only compoundly escalate as the
colony reaches strength.
We all had to start somewhere so I'll leave you tuit, writing those bees off
as a lost cause.
Tirrah...

Bill

What it is to be a legend in your own mind, lol.

 

[Anduril]

Thanks for the help guys but eltalia I didn't really understand yours (W.O.T.I.F.)???- but yes TBH.

Quick update.
They livened up within an hour of the sugar dust and took a ltr of 1-1 syrup over the next 2 days. Had a look the next day - couldn't see Queen, but did see eggs. Had another look Wednesday - they were grumpy - queen seen, eggs, not larvae ( I find them harder to see than eggs now the comb is darkening).
Just did a full inspection. They are making comb again, decent amount of pollen & uncapped nectar but no capped stores so I'll keep feeding. Saw Queen. Eggs again, still struggling with larvae but the capped brood is a really good pattern - saw some adults actually emerging so hopefully my fears re complete chill over-blown ����.
Other observations, number of flying drones significantly reduced from how things were in the 2 weeks after install (were some capped drone cells though). Queen has been on the edge of the brood chamber both times I've seen her. Perhaps I'm imaging it but the cluster of bees round her also less apparent.

So I've learnt
Bees that look like they're working a flow can still be starving
- this can happen quickly
- especially when making lots of wax.
The holes in the lid of a feeder jar need to be a bit bigger than those made by a drawing pin
Dusting with icing sugar seemed like a reasonable emergency response.

I have a question though - are they mean because I've damaged the Queen or do they always get gradually more defensive as the session goes on. If it could be either how do I tell.

Good to know, that they appear to be recovering. Username 'Madasafish' has a TBH and knows the pitfalls with regards to them, you could always PM him for further info. What kind of insulation do you have around it and can you reduce the brood space and insulate the smaller brood space while they recover.

 

[eltalia]

What it is to be a legend in your own mind, lol.

I am only humbled by the enormity of it - the Legend, like.
No intention to harm minds hoping to grapple with it.

Bill

 

[madasafish]

Good to know, that they appear to be recovering. Username 'Madasafish' has a TBH and knows the pitfalls with regards to them, you could always PM him for further info. What kind of insulation do you have around it and can you reduce the brood space and insulate the smaller brood space while they recover.

I would be delighted to help if you want any on TBHs.. (I used to have 7 and still have my original one )

 

[Fritillary]

I much prefer mini Ashforth feeders for TBHs. Recommended by someone on here - probably madasafish. (Also called Miller feeder by e.g. Simon the Beekeeper I see.)

They sit on top of the bars, over a small slot you've cut in one bar for access by the bees to the underneath entrance of the feeder at one end, which you top up from above at the other end, without having to open up the body of the hive, and without flying bees coming out. So much easier to manage and you can put fondant in them too.

I find the flexible plastic as opposed to rigid plastic ones, are much the best.

 

[BugsInABox]

Ahh 'Wot.If' What If?: Bill I get it now - not a clever acronym after all.

Thanks madasafish - I'll take you up on the offer. I think the origin of the problem, in part at least, was for whatever reason they weren't feeding from the jar I gave them - they seem less fussy now. But will look up the ashforth feeder asap. Fritillary cheers.

Neil