Swarm just entered hive body trap, should I feed?

DayValleyDahlias · May 05, 2012, 09:58:43 PM

I set out an empty hive body with frames, a swarm just entered the box...should I set syrup out for them??? If so what ratio of sugar to water??

Many thanks

Sharon

AllenF · May 05, 2012, 10:01:26 PM

Sure, a little never hurt to get them going. Use 1 to 1 syrup.

buzzbee · May 05, 2012, 10:03:12 PM

Hey,Long time no see. Are you using drawn comb? If so,they won't take much syrup if there is any kind of flow right now.

DayValleyDahlias · May 05, 2012, 10:04:41 PM

Yes all drawn comb, not sure what the flow is up to at the moment...wisteria, aloe, ceanothus, manzanita I think...thanks all

buzzbee · May 05, 2012, 10:07:03 PM

Drawn comb, a beekeepers friend!!

DayValleyDahlias · May 05, 2012, 10:08:26 PM

Love me my drawn comb stash :lol:

iddee · May 05, 2012, 10:17:33 PM

I would stay away from them for 4 days to give them time to have larva. Then they will be anchored and won't abscond.

DayValleyDahlias · May 05, 2012, 10:22:33 PM

So..no feeding?

Kathyp · May 05, 2012, 11:33:43 PM

how are you doing? have not heard from you in forever!! :-D

i usually feed a newly hived swarm. i can't see that it does any harm to do if for a few days....but if you find they are not taking it, you know they are brining in plenty on their own. since yours volunteered to be captured, they have probably already identified the forage in the area, so either way you should be ok if the flow is on.

iddee · May 05, 2012, 11:43:36 PM

hive top feeder or outside feeder, FINE.

Internal feeder, NO.

I just meant don't open them for 4 days.

DayValleyDahlias · May 05, 2012, 11:58:47 PM

Thank folks..I will let them bee...put some syrup on tomorrow early am...fun fun fun

CapnChkn · May 06, 2012, 08:42:01 AM

QuoteI would stay away from them for 4 days to give them time to have larva. Then they will be anchored and won't abscond.

Ouch! Well, that may be what happened to me then. I was surprised days ago by the same thing happening with a nuc I had just set in the yard. It had one frame in it, I looked in on them a day later, and they disappeared on me. I thought they just didn't like the location.

DayValleyDahlias · May 06, 2012, 11:11:19 AM

Hi Kathy & Buzz,

I know I took a hiatus, I had to let the bees do their own thing for a while...life events overtook, priorities had to be made ...ack...now seems as though the waters are somewhat still, so it is back to bees :)

rbinhood · May 06, 2012, 06:30:12 PM

Drawn comb poured full of sugar syrup.....I have found is the best way to go.

annette · May 06, 2012, 10:47:19 PM

Hi Sharon!!

It is so nice to hear from you again. I was thinking about you and wondering what happened. Stay with us a bit. I don't get on as much as I would like, but I check in from time to time.

Annette

DayValleyDahlias · May 20, 2012, 12:01:49 AM

Hey Annette! Happy to see you as well!

Should I keep feeding, thinking not, there seems to be a flow on..hhhmmm...but they have been taking the syrup???

JP · May 20, 2012, 08:14:34 PM

keep on feeding them if they are taking it. You may have a small flow on. They will usually avoid feed when a good flow is on.

...JP