I bought a nuc on satuday night. Installed it Sunday and the bees settled in no problem. But what has me confused is that they are not feeding from the feeder. They are moving in and out of the hive in what appear to be normal patterns. But the feeder seems to remain untouched. I clean it and added stronger syrup. But that has had no impact. Now keep in mind here in New Jersey we have had an explosion of flowers and flowering trees. Are the bees simply happier with real flowers and just ignoring the syrup? Should I just take it off and see what happens? Or is there another problem that I am not aware of?
Stronger syrup? 1:1 syrup simulates natural nectar.
Yes, they prefer the good ole' natural stuff when they can get it and will ignore the sugar syrup until all of the blossoms are gone.
if they need it theyt will take it
Yep ! The Girls prefer to drink from the Pretty Flowers right now, put the syrup away till mid-july when the dearth returns to NJ. :)