Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: dgc1961 on July 19, 2009, 05:43:22 PM

Title: When to feed a light hive...
Post by: dgc1961 on July 19, 2009, 05:43:22 PM
I am wondering when is the time to start feeding a light hive going into winter?  I have one have that swarmed twice, and now most of the honey is gone.  I know that I need to feed before winter, but when is the time to do that?
Title: Re: When to feed a light hive...
Post by: riverrat on July 19, 2009, 05:51:52 PM
IF you have a light hive and no flow I would suggest feeding now. if your hive swarmed twice and most of the honey is gone I would suspect maybe robbing has happened.
Title: Re: When to feed a light hive...
Post by: TwT on July 19, 2009, 10:28:17 PM
Quote from: riverrat on July 19, 2009, 05:51:52 PM
IF you have a light hive and no flow I would suggest feeding now. if your hive swarmed twice and most of the honey is gone I would suspect maybe robbing has happened.

I agree totally, feed a light hive when you know there is no flow and the hive is light, feed all hives when fall hits light or not!! this just insures a well fed hive for spring!!
Title: Re: When to feed a light hive...
Post by: applebwoi on July 20, 2009, 01:05:07 AM
I agree, no flow feed now.  As far as feeding into the fall, it still depends on the fall flow.  I think the more they can bring in on their own, the better it is.  For winter, I put on a 3" spacer and add granulated sugar as insurance. I've never had a hive starve to death this way.