Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: rick42_98 on March 04, 2010, 02:35:48 PM

Title: I Have Bees - They made It Through The Winter!
Post by: rick42_98 on March 04, 2010, 02:35:48 PM
Today in Northern NJ temps are in the low 40's.  I saw some girls buzzing about the hive.  Not too many though.  I want to know if I should put some syrup up for them.  If so, how do I make a gallon of 1:1?  I have some empty gallon jugs and a 1 gallon syrup feeder bucket.  I need a recipie which calls for a certain amount of sugar poured into the jug and fill the rest up with water to make 1 gal.  Does anyone know of that recipie?
Title: Re: I Have Bees - They made It Through The Winter!
Post by: contactme_11 on March 04, 2010, 05:27:13 PM
I usually just use a 5lb bag and top it off to about 1 gallon with hot water. It looks about right and the bees take it.
Title: Re: I Have Bees - They made It Through The Winter!
Post by: D Coates on March 04, 2010, 06:48:47 PM
I do a one to one mix.  I get 8 pounds or one gallon of water (roughly the same thing) and bring it to a boil.  I turn off the stove, then pour 8 pound of sugar in there.  Mix until clear, take about 5 minutes.  Pour it into a 5 gallon bucket (get them from your gorcery store bakery).  Put a lid on it and your ready to go.  Believe it or not if you put the lid on there tightly when it syrup is hot the heat kills the majority of any bacteria and it syrup will stay good for quite a while.  Now once you open in, all bets are off.  Get that on the bees ASAP.  I'll put a little bleach or lemon juice in there and it seems to retard spoilage for a while once opened though.
Title: Re: I Have Bees - They made It Through The Winter!
Post by: Hemlock on March 04, 2010, 06:55:26 PM
A tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar per gallon of syrup works great as a preservative too
Title: Re: I Have Bees - They made It Through The Winter!
Post by: Rodni73 on March 04, 2010, 09:36:21 PM
congrats!  :)

I will be feeding mine temperature will be 52 degree on Saturday!

-Congrats again.

-Rodni