They had no intrest in frames of honey I set out...why?

[hollybees]

Hello Everyone,
I have an assortment of frames with some honey in them, you know in the corners and such.
I've read a few posts in which some beeks said they set out frames for the bees to rob out, so I tried it yesterday.
The purpose was to have them clean up the frames of honey so I can use them in the 3 new hives I want to start. (already on order that will make 6 hives)

Anyway, I set them out in a nuc w/an open top & bottom about 50 ft from the hives wind blowing right across the honey into the hives.
I kept checking on them for probably 4 hrs, it was the middle of the day sunny and 70 degs they were bringing in loads of beautiful bright yellow pollen.

I saw 1 bee land and thought here we go she'll go get her sisters.....Nothin'  :shock:
What is up with that.....are they just in pollen mode in the early spring?
They do have a fair amount of honey in the hives, but when it comes to honey it seems they always want more.

Your Thoughts?

Thanks,
Paul

[Irwin]

It took a day and a half for my bees too find what I put out for them.

[JP]

Paul, did you keep it there for the entire day, or remove it after four hours? Did you take the frames from the freezer?


...JP

[hollybees]

I only had them out about 4 hrs because this crazy storm blew in real sudden.
The temp dropped 20 degs so I put them away so the coons didn't get at them.

JT....I did not get them from the freezer, but I do have more of the same in the freezer and would like to set them out also.

Sounds like I didn't leave it long enough huh!

Thanks ......the wife's callin' me to go to church I'll check back later  ;)

Happy Easter!!
Paul

[Finski]

.
If bees get well nectar from nature they prefer flowers than honey pool.

To put honey out to be robbed is not wise.  Outsider bees may attack on honey.

When bees rob outside honey they will brake quite badly combs too.  Lots of energy will be wasted when they fly here and there.

[RayMarler]

They won't rob out frames of honey set outside if there is a nectar flow on. If the nectar flow slows to the point where not enough forage is in the area for the amount of hives, then they'll start robbing out the frames set out. If the nectar flow stops, then they'll really go for them. I know a guy that keeps a frame of honey hanging from a coat hangar in a tree. If the bees are robbing it, then he knows the flows are slow. If they not paying any attention to it, then he knows the flows are strong. Is a good way to manage when to feed if needed. As Finski said, if you set out frames in a dearth of flows, it can cause robbing of the hives to happen, especially if you have weaker population hives or mating nucs made up.

[AllenF]

If you want to use the frames for new hives, why don't you just keep the frames as is with the honey in them for your new hives you want to start.  this will give them a head start.

[budhanes]

Put them out during a dearth but be sure its far away from your hives. Your bees will find them if it isn't too far and it will prevent a robbing frenzy.