How long should we feed our new packages?

[Diane]

Hello!  We have 2 packages that have now been in 8 weeks.  How long should we feed them sugar water?

[woodchopper]

I'd say you should have stopped well over a month ago. You want them out foraging as soon as possible.

[Diane]

Thanks Woodchopper, I have seen them out and about in the garden so I thought it might be time. 

[Bee-Bop]

I believe the important thing is to check and see how many frames they are useing.

Most bee books will say to feed new hives till they stop takeing syrup, they need food to make wax.

Remember to take any and all information you get on the inter-net forums with a grain or two of salt !

Check with a Local beekeeper, try your local bee club.

What works for me a thousand miles away might not work for You !   :shock:

Bee-Bop

[Michael Bush]

I would make sure they have some capped honey, which would indicate a surplus.  If not, then I would keep feeding and keep an eye on the flow.  If it dries up you may need to start feeding again (carefully to prevent robbing).

[indypartridge]

For new colonies, I feed until they have drawn out 2 deeps of comb.

[Diane]

Thank you Bee-Bop, Michael Bush and Indypartridge for your feedback.  It's very helpful.  I did stop feeding them and it appeared that they were building up capped honey but now one of our hives looks like they don't have any honey left.  We are going to start feeding them again.  So much to learn! 

[Joelel]

Hello!  We have 2 packages that have now been in 8 weeks.  How long should we feed them sugar water?

Two months.

[Michael Bush]

Yes, it's probably time to feed them again, if they are light on stores.