It's the bees first full day here. I have out some sugar water but there are no takers. Tons of bees flying but I don't see any pollen and no bees on any flowers around. I assume they are orienting.
How long will it take them to get used to their new home?
Also, with scattered rain the next few days I can't decide if I should put some feed in the hives or just let the sit unbothered a few more days.
Thanks!
Put some feed inside , they will build comb on rainny days and need sugar for that.
QuoteHow long will it take them to get used to their new home?
They already are :-)
QuoteI have out some sugar water but there are no takers.
One of my new hives didn't take any syrup. I wouldn't worry about it. They'll get food from somewhere...it's what they do.
Every warm afternoon some young bees will orient.
I understand that. I meant as a hive in a new place. How long will it take this first mass of field bees to get used to their new home and get to work?
one day, no longer than two. But the young bees will be taking orientation "play" flights till fall.
Don't put feed outside, it can cause a robbing frenzy. And they're "UGLY".
doak ;)
Can you set feed out if it's a long way from the hives?
Personally I wouldn't. It's a good to attract other insects and wild animals to start hanging around.
doak
The orientation flights are very interesting to watch. Many bees will come out of their home, float around infront of their home, facing it and looking at it, this lasts for a few minutes and then they go back inside. This can be repeated several times during a day. It is a very interesting thing to watch. When bees get close to the age where they are going to take on the duties of foragers, they perform these orientation flights. It is very important for the bees to know the location and direction of where they need to return to. Beautiful and great day, Cindi
I watched as a few turned into 100's. They came out and made small loops that grew and went upward. You could see several bees way up circling around. It was awesome to watch.
Watch close, when they first come out they will go from side to side and up and down close to the entrance. Then they will gradually move away from the hive a little at the time, using the same pattern until they are up where you are talking about. they have to record what the surroundings look like for some distance from the hive. fun to watch. doak