I think I have a problem with robbing. I only have one hive and
I did get 86 - 250mil jars of honey from them. They had two large
Brood boxes that had lots of honey in it before they started on
some for me BUT when I checked them yesterday the out side
frames was still full but the inside frames only had the upper
corners with honey in them. I think I should start feeding them.
How small should I cut the entrance down?
Thank you to all and have a good one.
You might consider making a robber screen. If you do a search here or the web there are some good designs
Or, buy a plastic one.
Ernie
Here is one link to a post about being robbed. http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,17691.0.html
Take a look at Bush Farms website and it tells all. http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrobbing.htm
An entrance reduce will work also, just go to one of the smaller options. The less area the bees have to guard the better.
You want to feed until 80 % of all frames are full of honey if you live in an area of extreme cold (upper tier states). A medium super will hold 4 1 gallon paint cans as feeders.
A Paint Can feeder is simple to make and use, just buy a few empty clean 1 gallon paint cans at you local paint/hardware store, use a 4d nail to poke pyramid shaped (the point of the nail) in the lid (about 2 dozen spaced out) so that it just breaks through the metal as a small dimple. Place on some sticks or lathing to allow the bees access to the under side and you're good to go. Make sure the lid is secure (a slotted screw driver is handy for removing the tops and a tack hammer is good for reseating the lids).
5 lbs of sugar, 5 pints of water, 1 tbsp of cider vinegar equals exactly 1 gallon of 1:1 syrup. If you want to go thicker is 7 lbs sugar and 4 quarts water plus the cider vinegar.
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on October 16, 2008, 10:05:22 PM
If you want to go thicker is 7 lbs sugar and 4 quarts water plus the cider vinegar.
Did you mean 4 pints water?
I have a feeder that goes on top and the bees go up through
the middle of it.I made a robbing screen today and put it on.
Is the type of feeder I got ok or should I get the cans?
thanks for all the help.
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on October 16, 2008, 10:05:22 PM
Place on some sticks or lathing to allow the bees access to the under side and you're good to go
Brian, this is me, I don't get what you mean by this statement, please elaborate.....you know how I don't get so many things, but I need to know... Have that most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi
Cindi I think hi means to sit the can down on to two sticks so
the bees can get in under the can to get the drops of sugar/water.
Have yourself a good one.
Quote from: DaveKow on October 16, 2008, 11:03:46 PM
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on October 16, 2008, 10:05:22 PM
If you want to go thicker is 7 lbs sugar and 4 quarts water plus the cider vinegar.
Did you mean 4 pints water?
The spell checks for the correct spelling not an incorrect word, you are right, I meant pints.
Quote from: Cindi on October 17, 2008, 11:15:42 AM
Quote from: Brian D. Bray on October 16, 2008, 10:05:22 PM
Place on some sticks or lathing to allow the bees access to the under side and you're good to go
Brian, this is me, I don't get what you mean by this statement, please elaborate.....you know how I don't get so many things, but I need to know... Have that most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi
Bess can't get to the holes in the lid on an upside down can unless there is a space created to allow access. Sticks or lathing makes that space.
Brian, eeks!!! OK, so I think I am getting the picture.....let me tell you what I think.
I know that I have heard of bucket/pail feeding, just never seen it in action. The bucket is placed upside down on top of the inner cover. That inner cover has a hole in it that the bees can climb through to access the bucket. The slats bring the pail up just enough that the bees can get beneath the bucket to feed. Is this the correct picture?
About that hole in the inner cover. I have that hole in my inner covers, in the centre, and when I feed with the baggie feeder, the hole is closed up almost all the way by the plug that came out of the hole when it was made. There is a stick across that plug to allow for easy lifting of that plug. When feeding with a pail, should that plug be completely removed, leaving that 2 inch opening fully open, or should it be closed up mostly, to allow only a few bees at a time to come out of their colony? I need this further clarification. Have a great and awesome day, Cindi
I apologize if I just don't get stuff, unless it is completely and clearly defined, but that is how I remember things, to be told explicitly procedure.
As you know I don't use inner covers to the lathing is necessary to space the feeder can/jar above the frames.
Regardless of what type of feeder you use there must be a way for the bees to have access to the syrup.
If I were to use quart jars I would cut holes in the center of the top and insert the feeder so it fits just like a jar does in a Boardman feeder. I'd cover the hole when not in use.