what temp do bees stop taking 2:1 syrup

[drstitson]

"I hefted them yesterday and I would guestimate around 20KG of stores"

why the need for fondant then?

 

[einsteinagogo]

My bees have stopped taking syrup early this week so I removed it from the hive. Here in Cambridge the weather has been excellent but the last few days it has been down to 7 deg C and with a cold N wind. I will insulate my hive this next week then feed fondant at the end of the month. I hefted them yesterday and I would guestimate around 20KG of stores. Visually, from my last inspection, I guess they have up to 4 times of what they had this time last year so fingers crossed they will get through the winter.

I also wondered if there was a need to feed fondant, if you've met the target weight of stores 20-25kg

 

[itma]

I also wondered if there was a need to feed fondant, if you've met the target weight of stores 20-25kg

If one had a bad experience last winter, one could be forgiven for overcompensating.


/ Apart from cost, the only real downside of over-provision now is increasing the risk of early swarming next Spring, but hey, that can be tackled when and if.

 

[peteinwilts]

I also wondered if there was a need to feed fondant, if you've met the target weight of stores 20-25kg

it depends on far too many factors. The number of bees, weather conditions. Bees will eat more if the weather is colder to produce the increased heat required
If the winter is wet, you will probably have more individual bee loses over the winter period, meaning less bees will need to be fed less late winter.
If we have a long winter, the bees may require more food.

If you open your hive in Winter, the bees will consume more food to bring the hive back up to temperature.
I only open my hive once in winter for oxalic acid, unless they feel light. If they feel light, they get a slab of fondant and take of the excess in spring rather than keep opening and drip feeding small portions.

My targets are 15-25Kg of sugar per hive, depending on the hive. I will still heft in January, and again in late February\early march if the weather is still cold.

Also WHEN you feed makes a difference.

Last winter, two (of my then 23) hives required fondant. Neither took their target of syrup.

worst case scenario, you take off any leftovers frames in spring and use them with NUC's or hives that need it later in the year.

Creating a rough plan is good, but you also need to be adaptable.

 

[keir01]

thanks for all the information, has been really helpful. Insulated yesterday will see how they go on - thanks again