Salt and the Beehive 🐝

[ed/La.]

I add sea salt among other things. Ginger powder for 1 a little vinegar sometimes lemon juice No way of knowing if it helps unless some scientist does a controlled study over a few seasons. Some times I  feed sliced bananas peal and all. They consume it. When they stop I stop giving it to them.

[Ben Framed]

I add sea salt among other things. Ginger powder for 1 a little vinegar sometimes lemon juice No way of knowing if it helps unless some scientist does a controlled study over a few seasons. Some times I  feed sliced bananas peal and all. They consume it. When they stop I stop giving it to them.

Thanks for the information ed/La must be something in the banana peel that they require or that wouldn't take it. I hope all is gonna well for you and your bees 🐝
Phillip

[Dallasbeek]

Philip,

Be very careful about using the wintergreen oil.  I think I have read it is dangerous to use.  Read up on it.

[Ben Framed]

Philip,

Be very careful about using the wintergreen oil.  I think I have read it is dangerous to use.  Read up on it.

Thank you for the warning Dallas. Mr HoneyPump told me but I believe it was last fall that essential  oils can break down the enzymes in the gut. And if I were to use essential oils to be sure and replace these enzymes. I ask him how to do this, his advice was  Using ultra bee pollen substitute, which I use. So far all is well and stable. No sign of  Nosema this winter and spring.  But, since spring is here I am going to stop the essential oils until next fall. I thank you for the heads up and I will research this futher. Your advice and experience is always appreciated and welcome. Thank you Dallas. Time for me to hit the research! Ah haa haa haa These bees keep us plenty busy!! 😊😁

[obxbee]

Adding salt for the girls is something I have never thought of or heard about.
I live about 600 yards from the Atlantic and about 300 yards from the Currituck Sound so maybe I have too much salt?

[Ben Framed]

Phillip - I did 3 splits today, and started feeding. Based on your post here, I added "a pinch of salt" to the sugar water. We will see. Can't hurt at worst, I'm thinking.

Cool I realize this is an old topic. I ran across it and it has helped refresh my memory. Just curious, did the added 'pinch of salt' seem to make a difference in your comb building as well?

Thanks,

Phillip

[Brian MCquilkin]

I buy salt blocks from the farm supply store and put one in each yard, the bees can access the salt as needed.

[JurassicApiary]

I see bees drinking rain water on the ground from our chicken yard (manure/dirt) regularly. But I never see them drinking from our driveway or road to our home...  Must be some good stuff! 

All kidding aside on my part, I can honestly say that I have never seen bees on manure. Although I have seen different types of flys. Perhaps it's a lack of a certain type vitamin or mineral in your area?  Oldbeavo says manure is a source of vitamin B. There again, maybe they are desperate for salt? I have an update. Yesterday I went through my hives and for the second time added boxes and frames! They had already drawn out the ones I had added last week and was using as brood and storage. Very Happy! I will continue adding the "pinch of salt" to each quart of feed. Let me add to this reply, when I say added boxes and frames, I am doing so with the checker board method. They are booming! By the time the first flow gets here they should be so built up and strong becoming nectar gathering machines. However, I am not looking for honey this year, I need splits splits splits. Honey next year, is the goal.
Phillip

[Michael Bush]

I always have mineral blocks out for the horses.  I never noticed any bees on or around them.