When to remove Mountaincamp?

Started by trace.3820, March 22, 2022, 11:47:27 PM

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trace.3820

March 22, 2022, 11:47:27 PM
Hello members,
I?m in Cincinnati. Had pretty good success with Mountaincamp, both in terms of providing food for the bees and absorbing moisture. However each March I?m perplexed with when to remove the leftover dry sugar and switch over to liquid sugar feeding. Would appreciate any advice from those more experienced than me in year 4.

TC


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.30WCF

#1
March 23, 2022, 12:45:25 AM
I have no more experience than you and haven?t fed sugar in the winter, but I would feed syrup once lows are mostly above freezing.
I give syrup in the fall/winter on up until it gets really cold.
I?m in a totally different climate though.

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Ben Framed

#2
March 23, 2022, 01:04:44 AM Last Edit: March 23, 2022, 01:29:06 AM by Ben Framed
For me it is when I think it?s time for spring inspections. That can vary depending on the weather and resources coming in, namely pollen. When pollen starts coming in heavily in my program is when the hive is opened and excess sugar is removed, hive is inspected and sugar water is started, (if needed).

I use Mountian camp for the same two reasons you described. Are you happy with the results? I for one am very happy with this two fold method.

Phillip



Jim134

#3
March 23, 2022, 03:35:28 AM
    When I go. From  Solid  Feed to liquid feed... (If needed). In the springtime... Is when a good solid pollen  source is coming in.. Where I live in New England. It is mainly Maple tree blossoms... In the  Spring time.



                 BEE HAPPY  Jim134   :smile:
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
        Chinese Proverb

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
John F. Kennedy
Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/

The15thMember

#4
March 23, 2022, 01:37:47 PM
According to Rusty Burlew on HoneyBeeSuite.com, bees will ignore liquid syrup if it is colder than 50F, so the bees really need to be unclustered for them to take liquid syrup.  If the bees are not clustered, the hive is probably warm enough for the syrup to be warm.  Remember that syrup has a high heat capacity, it takes a long time to warm up, so if your nights are cold, your syrup will be cold for most of the day. 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.
https://maranathahomestead.weebly.com/

Ben Framed

#5
March 23, 2022, 02:08:06 PM
Quote from: The15thMember on March 23, 2022, 01:37:47 PM
According to Rusty Burlew on HoneyBeeSuite.com, bees will ignore liquid syrup if it is colder than 50F, so the bees really need to be unclustered for them to take liquid syrup.  If the bees are not clustered, the hive is probably warm enough for the syrup to be warm.  Remember that syrup has a high heat capacity, it takes a long time to warm up, so if your nights are cold, your syrup will be cold for most of the day.

I agree Reagan and Rusty is right if the syrup is placed as Boardman type feeding. Rarely if ever will the bees go down for food below that temperature is my experience as well. Usually when pollen comes in heavy nectar is also available.
The bees will ease up on feed when nectar starts coming in.

As far as other type feeders, I do not know about frame feeders or if Rusty was referring to frame feeding? Again the bees would have to move to the frame feeder to get it. I for one do 'not have' that hands on experience.  I can say from my own personal experience, using an upside down jar feeder 'through a jar size opening on the 'flat' top board',  (no inner cover), will be taken at much lower temperatures. Even when the bees are not to flying, which is just what the doctor ordered in early spring days and cold snaps.

Phillip

The15thMember

#6
March 23, 2022, 02:11:58 PM
Quote from: Ben Framed on March 23, 2022, 02:08:06 PM
I agree Reagan and Rusty is right if the syrup is placed as Boardman type feeding. Rarely if ever will the bees go down for food below that temperature is my experience as well. Usually when pollen comes in heavy nectar is also available.
The bees will ease up on feed when nectar starts coming in.

As far as other type feeders, I do not know about frame feeders or if Rusty was referring to frame feeding? Again the bees would have to move to the frame feeder to get it. I for one do 'not have' that hands on experience.  I can say from my own personal experience, using an upside down jar feeder 'through a jar size opening on the 'flat' top board',  (no inner cover), will be taken at much lower temperatures. Even when the bees are not to flying, which is just what the doctor ordered in early spring days and cold snaps.

Phillip
I doubt she was talking about Boardman feeders, as she strongly doesn't recommend them.  I'm sure that a warm hive full of bees could warm up the syrup in a jar or frame feeder in many cases.  Like everything in beekeeping, it just depends.  :grin:  But if the bees aren't clustered, I think temps are such that liquid feed will definitely work.   
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.
https://maranathahomestead.weebly.com/

yes2matt

#7
March 26, 2022, 09:05:21 PM
TC: 40 days before first flow. Or when the dry sugar is gone. Or when you get to it. I usually get to scrape some combs off the outer cover where they've started to fill the shim by the time I get to it.

You can use a jar/bucket feeder in the heat column over the brood nest. If you are getting cold snaps put some insulation (extra smoker fuel will do in a pinch) around the feed bucket.

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Acebird

#8
March 27, 2022, 09:36:43 AM
The bees will remove it if you don't sweeting the soil around the hive and feeding the ants.
Brian Cardinal
Just do it

Ben Framed

#9
March 29, 2022, 01:53:52 PM
Ben Framed
QuoteFor me it is when I think it's time for spring inspections. That can vary depending on the weather and resources coming in, namely pollen. When pollen starts coming in heavily in my program is when the hive is opened and excess sugar is removed, hive is inspected and sugar water is started, (if needed).

I use Mountian camp for the same two reasons you described. Are you happy with the results? I for one am very happy with this two fold method.

Phillip
Ben Framed
QuoteI can say from my own personal experience, using an upside down jar feeder 'through a jar size opening on the 'flat' top board', (no inner cover), will be taken at much lower temperatures. Even when the bees are not to flying, which is just what the doctor ordered in early spring days and cold snaps.
The15thMember
QuoteI'm sure that a warm hive full of bees could warm up the syrup in a jar or frame feeder in many cases.  Like everything in beekeeping, it just depends.  :grin:  But if the bees aren't clustered, I think temps are such that liquid feed will definitely work.

When liquid feed is placed as described, with-in an inch of the top frames, the bees will take it readly in a similar fashion as mountain camp on the days too 'cool' for bees to fly even on days 'below' 50.  Perfect insurance, and the exposed jar of feed 'does not' have to be warmed. I'm not speaking of a week of below freezing winter weather, but of those occasional cool snaps that will come along in Spring during times of a heavy pollen flow, when it is cool enough to keep our bees from flying.  Just a little extra help if needed. I hope this helps..

Phillip 
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