Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Carol on May 04, 2014, 09:40:51 AM

Title: feeding a swarm
Post by: Carol on May 04, 2014, 09:40:51 AM
On May 1st I caught a swarm and installed in TBH...gave them 1/4 qt honey & 1 Qt sugar water.  It has rained the last 2 days. I have to leave tomorrow for a few wks. Question: If I leave them a qt of honey will they juse it to back fill any comb made..or just consume it? I don't want to leave sugar water since it could spoil if they dont consume it...and I'd have to leave the jar in till I got back. Figure honey wont spoil.

We have elderberry blooming, spiderwort,spanish needle and other flowers. My two hives (langs) have been making comb and storing some honey.

Would I be better off not feeding at all?
Title: Re: feeding a swarm
Post by: iddee on May 04, 2014, 10:00:35 AM
I've caught 6 or 8 swarms and haven't fed any of them. They are all doing fine.
Title: Re: feeding a swarm
Post by: Carol on May 04, 2014, 11:22:35 AM
Iddee:   thanks...just what I wanted to know. Mine are in a Top Bar Hive and they have to build their own comb. Thought the honey would help but was worried it would create a problem.  Thanks again
Title: Re: feeding a swarm
Post by: Carol on May 04, 2014, 05:18:41 PM
Iddee: did your bees go into boxes with foundation or drawn comb? Mine went into an empty TBH
Title: Re: feeding a swarm
Post by: iddee on May 04, 2014, 06:33:06 PM
Both. First two, drawn comb. The others foundation.