So everyone says wait for the goldenrod. Well we have golden rod everywhere, acres and acres of it. Bumble bees by the thousands and countless other insects, but not even one of our bees. In three years they do not touch the stuff. Anyone else have this problem and is it the type of goldenrod or what is wrong?
I'm new at this also. I can only answer with a question - maybe something better around? Are the bees going and coming from the hives? If so then they are working something.
I don't know strider, a month ago my entrances were all stained yellow and people were saying its the goldenrod. Now, no yellow entrances and I see the golden rod blooming everywhere. Maybe that yellow wasn't golden rod after all. Someone said earlier in one of my post that the later blooming asters were the best flow, so maybe it will be later.?
No GSF they are bringing back very little pollen, and those that do have very small amounts, but the do not use the goldenrod which is loaded with it.
you may be missing it. there are lots of things that they hit a specific times of the day. you may not be looking at the right time. you'll know if they hit the GR. it makes the hives stink until the honey is cured.
Last year I didn't see honey bees on the golden rod until around September. We have loads of it right now and all I see on it are bumble bees and wasp. I suspect they're gathering from better sources right now and will hit the golden rod when those sources dry up.
My hives smelled sour over the weekend
Quote from: jayj200 on August 28, 2014, 10:47:54 AM
My hives smelled sour over the weekend
That's golden rod. When they are on it my apiary smells like old sweat socks. My first year, my neighbor kept saying we need to check those hives there is something wrong, maybe AFB. Same thing every year. As mentioned, your bees are probably on something better.
Jim
you'll surely be fine as is, I'm one for leaving them do their thing on their own personally, but you can also cut off a few tips of GR, and stick them in front of the hive by the entrance. I believe it helps train them to a source preference. but once again, you'll surely be fine just leaving them.
When they are bringing in Golden Rod, you will think something got inside the hive and died. When the smell is gone they have capped it.
I have seen very little around here so far.
Joe
Same here. My bees are not on GR. I opened the tops yesterday, all have STB, and they all smell good. :-D
Jim
I have a lot of Japanese Knot Weed nearby and we've had sufficient rain this year that the bees are all over the knot-weed and ignoring the goldenrod for now.
So I'll get some red honey. Knot weed honey is dark red.
Plus it seems that the bees do not like the earliest blooming "varieties" of goldenrod for some reason.
8-)