Warm Winter Hive Management

jalentour · December 24, 2015, 07:59:05 PM

With the warm weather we are having (and forecast) I assume the bees will consume the honey in the hive faster than last winter.
I have read that warm winters frequently cause more starve outs and early swarms.
Other than sugar blocks on the top bars, what can I do for supplemental feed and what can I do for early swarms?
Is feeding 3:1 syrup during the warm days (+50 degrees) of winter a good idea?

LKBruns · December 25, 2015, 10:30:00 AM

I am in South Texas - facing the same scenario ... Curious to see the replies and hoping to learn a little. I'm concerned about my hives.
Its been in the 80's and some of the hives are bringing in pollen.

LB

sc-bee · December 25, 2015, 09:29:39 PM

Yes they will consume it quicker. You have to feed enough once stated to prevent starvation. As far a 3:1? I think MB states when he does feed it is 5:3 no matter the time of year. I have never gone above 2:1. As far as swarming. feeding may force them in a swarm mode earlier and it may not. As usual watch the room in the hive and don't force a shut down of the queen by over feeding (honey bound).

jalentour · December 25, 2015, 10:02:19 PM

SC,
Thanks and Thanks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_3:16

rwlaw · December 26, 2015, 09:57:29 AM

According to the NWS long range forecast we're losing some of this record warm spells for Jan in the Midwest, don't get fooled into thinking we're going to skate thru this. IMO anything the bees suck off the sugar blocks is recycled and will have less water than syrup. You'll have less problems with mold and moisture issues.

KeyLargoBees · December 26, 2015, 10:21:14 AM

Correct me if I am wrong...but if you see pollen coming in you can probably assume some nectar is coming in as well cant you ? Might not be enough to go without some sort of feed but give em some weak feed and monitor stores level. Since its so warm its not like its a big deal if you go back to semi regular hive inspections to keep an eye on them and make sure you are controlling their stores level and dont induce a buildup too early.

Still new enough at this that this is all conjecture and what "makes sense" to me.....take it for what its worth from a Florida Keys Beekeeper who has never dealt with overwintering bees

rwlaw · December 26, 2015, 10:58:42 AM

KeyLargo
There's plenty of plants that are pollen orientated and have little to no nectar value , or they can be foraging on cracked corn, sawdust, etc. From what my mentor says, bees will gather propolis late into the year too, as they it's put into their pollen baskets also, can be mistaken for pollen.

KeyLargoBees · December 26, 2015, 07:26:23 PM

I understand about the pollen to nectar ratio thing....and i guess in a northern climate it makes sense that very little is blooming in December and January that might provide them with nectar but still if temps are in the 60's and 70s you can monitor stores levels and feed as necessary.

Good luck to you all and hope things work out and all colonies overwinter well.

Jeff

capt44 · January 05, 2016, 06:43:32 PM

Here in Central Arkansas we've had a lot of warm weather.
I've noticed some hives have small patches of capped brood.
It's cool now for a couple of more days then it's warming up again.
I have candy boards on all my hives plus I keep Meg Bee High Protein Pollen Substitute out for the bees all the time.
So far so good.