How to check for nectar

[johnwm73]

I am trying to find out what I can do to see if the bees are bringing in nectar. I have been reading and checking around and can't find a source that can tell me what the signs are. The reason I would like to know is so I can slow down or stop feeding them and let the bees work on getting nectar. I know they are bringing in pollen because I was watching them come in and they have red and yellow pollen on their legs.

[doak]

You should have things blooming there by now.
Lift your hive from the rear up just an inch or to and very gently.
the weight will tell you how much stores the bees have.
Also might want to take the top cover off and check under neath the inner cover,"if you use one" to see if the bees are starting to build comb to the cover/s, if so you need to add another hive body/super, which ever fits the pourpose.
hope this helps.

Here in central Ga. the Tulip Poplar are in full bloom.
That means I have got to get some supers ready.
Happy Beeking
doak

[johnwm73]

I do have plants blooming here. I jst installed my 5 frames nuc on Friday so I was going to do an inspection today to see how things are going. I plan on taking the feeder off at that time. And if I have 7 to 8 frames filled I was going to add another hive body. Right now I plan on running 2 hive bodies then a super for honey surplus(or me to rob).

[thegolfpsycho]

Pull out a frame with stores in it.  Hold it horizontally over the the hive, and give it a quick bump.  If there is thin nectar coming in, it will rain out.  I hold it over the open colony so the nectar is not lost.  They can recover it.

[johnwm73]

I will do that today. Maybe I can get some pictures too so I can post them on here.