What containers do you use to shake powdered sugar into your hives? I have been using a flour sifter; but the holes are too big. I end up dumping sugar on the bees instead of sifting
Kimbrell, when I did some powdered sugar shaking this early summer, I found that the flour sifter was a pain in the butt. I read somewhere that one of the ideas of powdered sugar shaking was like to have an avalanche of powdered sugar to fall fairly evenly on the bees. Don't know if that was correct advice I had read or not, but I wound up just grabbing handfulls from the bucket and kind of shaking the sugar from my clenched hand all over them. It worked well enough for me.
You will hear many responses from forum members who have tried this method. So you will be listening and learning. You will have to form your own opinions about what works for you. Have a wonderful day in this great life. Cindi
I use the bottle baby powder comes in. Wash it out real good, and fill with powdered sugar and a little rice(uncooked). A good hard squeeze/pump and dust galore. I keep a couple handy.
I use the baby powder thing with a hole drilled in the back so I can stick the nosed of an air gun in and pressurize it. no poofing just lots and lots of fine dust blasting out the end.
Thanks for the suggestions. The baby powder bottle sounds like it would work for me. The sifter spilled a lot. I'm trying to avoid attracting ants so the less spilled the better...
2 cheap stone age (non-tech) methods are using a pint or quart jar with door screen replacing the sealing lid, just ring and screen, and using an Imirie shim with screen stretched across it to shift the sugar on the frames. Dump the powdered sugar on the frame and use you bee brush to spread the sugar.
Brian, best method I have ever heard of. I like the sugar dumped on the Imrie shim with screen stretched over and brushing the sugar all over the bees. Great, good for you!!! YOu do have some pretty good thoughts on things. Have a wonderful and beautiful day. Cindi
Brian,
Great idea on the Imrie shim! Dumping the sugar on the screen then spreading it means less spillage, and all the girls get coated.
Thanks
Try this link for info on powder sugar and other methods like drone manipulation:
http://www.countryrubes.com/instructionspage4/usingpowderedsugar.html
After reaching this page click on instruction page 4. Check out Randy Oliver method. along with other goodies!!!
2rubes has been working with powdered sugar diligently for a while. I have e-mailed them in the past and found them eager to respond and help :).