How will I know whether or not to feed the bees?

DayValleyDahlias · August 26, 2007, 04:53:38 PM

So, how am I to know if this is necessary?

Many thanks

qa33010 · August 26, 2007, 05:25:54 PM

I watch my humming bird feeders as an early indicator. When the bees start on them is when I may have to feed before I check the hive weights in September.

I have not really seen a dearth yet, except for a short time in 2005. Even during last years drought they were working something for nectar and pollen.

Kathyp · August 26, 2007, 07:13:47 PM

i look to see what they are storing. right now, they are putting in pollen, but almost no honey. i will start feeding next week so that they are filled up before the really cold winter. also, if you notice that they are using what they had stored before, i have been told that this is a good indication that they need to be fed.

DayValleyDahlias · August 26, 2007, 07:50:47 PM

Thanks I am going to crack open the hive on Wednesday and have a look...I have 2 deeps, the bottom brrod and the superwhich has a queen excluder. I did not want to put the excluder on, but the person helping me did put it on...May I remove the excluder and may I leave the super on for now? Do I leave them as they are, or must I remove the super at some point for Wintering?

Kathyp · August 26, 2007, 08:08:39 PM

i would remove it. that way you don't have to worry about the space they have, or it getting clogged up with dead bees during the winter. wonder why they put one between the two deeps? that's kind of strange i think.

anyway, they tend to cluster in the middle during winter and they'll have a hard time doing that with an excluder in there.

KONASDAD · August 26, 2007, 11:12:09 PM

Feel the weight of your hive from the back everytime you ionspect. You''l feel it get heavier for fall, about 60 -80lbs depending on your climate. If light, feed.

DayValleyDahlias · August 27, 2007, 09:49:14 PM

Thanks I will lift the suckers this week...looks like I will have a winter hive of 2 deeps...no excluder...hopefully that will be fine

Understudy · August 27, 2007, 10:16:42 PM

When the bees are ordering pizza with honey and pollen, using your credit card number.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

pdmattox · August 28, 2007, 12:00:47 AM

I try to keep a small band of honey over the brood (In a shape like a rainbow) If it is empty or very small band I feed.

Michael Bush · August 28, 2007, 09:27:33 PM

I lift the backs of the hives. Light hives need to be fed. If some need feeding, I feed them all. I can always steal some from the heavy ones later and it keeps the strong from robbing the weak. In fact, I'd rather steal some frames of capped honey from the strong hives and give that to the weak and feed the strong ones.

DayValleyDahlias · August 28, 2007, 11:10:34 PM

Well I hope I can determine if the hive is heavy enough...we still have a flow going...they don't seem interested in anything but...so I will just keep a watch... :-*

KONASDAD · August 29, 2007, 11:03:59 AM

Quote from: DayValleyDahlias on August 28, 2007, 11:10:34 PM
Well I hope I can determine if the hive is heavy enough...we still have a flow going...they don't seem interested in anything but...so I will just keep a watch... :-*

Get in the habit of lifting the hive a n inch verytime you inspect. It helps educate your hands to the weight

MB- Thanks for additional advice about how to feed. I was feeding my strong hives larger doses of feed than my smaller hives to prevent robbing, rather than swithching frames. I had the right idea, but wrong application. Thanx again.