At what temperature it is safe to feed syrup?

[JMN]

I am wondering as to when to start feeding my bees?  This time of the year here in New Mexico the temperature in the afternoons are between 50ºF and 65ºF but at night still I the mid 20s.  The last frost day usually is after mid April.  I’d given them some dry sugar but so far they’re not getting in to it much.  So what do the experts recommend as to when to start feeding syrup? After the frost free days start?  Or can I start feeding syrup now?

My friend had quite a few of his hives starved.  I fed some syrup last fall to my bees and I want to make sure mine won’t starve now. All your comments will be appreciated,

JMN

[Brian D. Bray]

If you have temps above 45 F and a calm clear day, feed away.  You can even do that during the winter when temps reaches that point, just be careful that the temperatures will remain at or close to that temp for several days in succession to give the bees time to take it.  Feeding during the day and having it freeze at night will catch bees away from the cluster and contribute to hive loss in spite of feeding.

[Michael Bush]

Any temperature is probably "safe".  But they won't take it until the syrup reaches about 50 F.

[JMN]

Brian and Michael, Thanks for your comments,  JMN

[JP]

I am wondering as to when to start feeding my bees?  This time of the year here in New Mexico the temperature in the afternoons are between 50ºF and 65ºF but at night still I the mid 20s.  The last frost day usually is after mid April.  I’d given them some dry sugar but so far they’re not getting in to it much.  So what do the experts recommend as to when to start feeding syrup? After the frost free days start?  Or can I start feeding syrup now?

My friend had quite a few of his hives starved.  I fed some syrup last fall to my bees and I want to make sure mine won’t starve now. All your comments will be appreciated,

JMN

I would suggest warming the syrup to say 90f and feeding during the day temps above 45f, remove in late evening.

...JP

[Patrick]

I have had problems with additional moisture in the hive while having a feeder on, when the temp fluctuates between 40 and 75 night and day. The dew point comes into play and the inside of the hive gets really damp, then mold starts, eye yea eye. Mine have not touched the juice even with temps as high as 79 in the day. So I assume the temp of the juice really matters.
For what it worth,
cheers,
Patrick

[Michael Bush]

At any temperatures they take warm syrup faster.  But at sub 50 F temperatures at night the syrup often doesn't get above 50 F in the daytime and the bees won't take any.