risks of feeding syrup in inverted jar this time of year

Grid · November 11, 2010, 11:29:05 AM

My hives were light going into the fall. I was late feeding. We are having a (relatively) warm spell for this time of year, highs around 9C (48F) lows around 0C (32F). If I can, I want to put some syrup on the hives.

What are the risks/issues with feeding 2:1 syrup with those types of temperatures? I am using large mason jars inverted above the inner cover with holes drilled in the lids. The jars won't freeze and crack, but what about dripping onto the cluster? Can those temperatures cause the syrup to leak out onto the bees, and will that be a problem at those temps? Anything else?

Thanks!
Grid.

Robo · November 11, 2010, 11:42:54 AM

Yes dripping could be an issue if the temperature swings are large enough. Glass is usually less of an issue than plastic. But I would be more concerned with the added moisture you are adding to the hive and the risk of dysentery come winter. I would be more inclined to set them up with candy or dry sugar if they need it.

Kathyp · November 11, 2010, 11:44:35 AM

+ at those temps they may not take it anyway. go with the candy or dry sugar. there are lots of posts about both if you do a search. if you don't find the info you need, ask again. we'll get you through :-D

Grid · November 11, 2010, 12:58:28 PM

Thanks all. I have good top ventilation, and will be adding dry sugar ala Mountain Camp this Saturday. Just trying to make sure they make it.

:)

Grid.

AllenF · November 11, 2010, 06:35:32 PM

Ya, they will not take cold syrup. Give them dry sugar.

annette · November 12, 2010, 12:47:16 AM

Quote from: Grid on November 11, 2010, 12:58:28 PM
Thanks all. I have good top ventilation, and will be adding dry sugar ala Mountain Camp this Saturday. Just trying to make sure they make it.

:)

Grid.

What do you mean when you say good top ventilation?? Reason I am asking is I am feeding dry sugar to one small hive and I had to place a small spacer on top of the super (for room for the sugar), then the inner cover and then the telescoping cover. I am concerned about the possibility of moisture in this hive. I have the inner cover with the notch and have pushed the telescoping cover forward to create that air space, but is this enough???

All my other hives have the honey run ventilated covers and I don't worry about them.

tecumseh · November 12, 2010, 08:05:02 AM

the first risk of 'boardman' feeder over the brood nest is syrup can freeze and glass can and will break. the results is a flood of sweet cold syrup pouring down over the brood nest. if this happens at or near zero the hive is done.

ps... if I knew a hive was light I would lean to a candy board much more than regular sugar poured into the hive (the mountain camp method). the latter use of plain sugar is more emergency food and the candy board more closely approximates the bees natural feed.

Kathyp · November 12, 2010, 10:43:57 AM

Annette, that dry sugar will absorb lots of the moisture. you are not in that wet an area anyway. i'd worry more about venting your heat. you do get the cold. one of the reasons i dump the dry sugar on even the hives that seem to have enough, is that it does seem to help with moisture control. here, that's a big deal! :-). i figure nothing is lost by doing it....except some sugar. if the prices keep going up, i may rethink this. :)

Grid · November 12, 2010, 10:51:32 AM

Quote from: annette on November 12, 2010, 12:47:16 AM
What do you mean when you say good top ventilation?? <snip>

I use all-season inner covers: http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/all-season-inner-cover-p-232.html?osCsid=315d293f2f307ef79029c3e88bcc54e4

The insulation along with the notch in the front seems to help a lot.

Grid.

Two Bees · November 12, 2010, 10:54:05 AM

While I'm not feeding now, I use glass jars over the inner cover hole as well. Last year, I went into early winter and had some leaks with the temp swings but it didn't seem to hurt things. But I agree with the above posts...........I would use dry sugar or candy boards from this point forward.

annette · November 12, 2010, 12:23:14 PM

Quote from: Grid on November 12, 2010, 10:51:32 AM
Quote from: annette on November 12, 2010, 12:47:16 AM
What do you mean when you say good top ventilation?? <snip>

I use all-season inner covers: http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/all-season-inner-cover-p-232.html?osCsid=315d293f2f307ef79029c3e88bcc54e4

The insulation along with the notch in the front seems to help a lot.

Grid.

Yes I use these covers also on my other hives, but because I am feeding this little hive, I thought it best not to have that cover on. I was worried it could cause a robbing situation with that notch open on the side and the sugar dumped on the top bars.

Kathyp · November 12, 2010, 12:29:29 PM

probably good thinking Annette. i have had one attacked/robbed out already by the yellowjackets. it was not a strong hive, but i thought strong enough. yellowjackets found a small upper crack and managed to get in. didn't take long and they were in from the entrance and the top crack. i'm sure the queen is gone and the hive is done, but it's been to cold to open it up and check. it was amazing to watch how quickly they attacked this hive and would not quit. even covering them for 24 hours didn't put the yellowjackets off. they are persistent buggers.

Grid · November 12, 2010, 02:57:48 PM

I hadn't thought of the potential robbing situation with the upper entrance. I figured it was about the size of the small entrance reducer opening, and that it could be defended. Hmm... Food for thought for sure.

Grid · November 17, 2010, 04:37:13 PM

I have about 5kg (11 lbs) of dry sugar on newspaper on each of my hives now. I put a 3" riser on, laid newspaper on the top bars inside the riser leaving a space at the front, and then just poured it in. No spraying/misting with water or anything like that.

There were live bees in each hive; some either had more bees or the bees were higher up in the hive. I did not open the hives up to look further, just puffed a little smoke to drive them down before putting the paper and sugar on. The temperature was around 7-8C (45F) and it was getting dark, so no big disturbances.

Now I wait until spring, and hope all will be well.

Grid.

glenn c hile · November 19, 2010, 01:05:35 PM

I take the honeyrun ventilated inner covers off, then a layer of newspaper with dry sugar on top and put the insulated covers back on upside down. Provides ventialtion and space for the sugar. Worked well last winter.

annette · November 19, 2010, 01:36:05 PM

Quote from: hilreal on November 19, 2010, 01:05:35 PM
I take the honeyrun ventilated inner covers off, then a layer of newspaper with dry sugar on top and put the insulated covers back on upside down. Provides ventialtion and space for the sugar. Worked well last winter.

I am not picturing this for some reason. Won't the insulation fall out if you place it in upside down???

edward · November 20, 2010, 10:47:57 PM

As a last resort if you can move the hive to a warm place , shed , garage.

Too do this you need to make sure the hive is ventilated + that the bees cannot get out.

Start feeding them, they should bee able to pull the winter sugar/syrup in one to two days.

It helps if the sugar/syrup is also warm.

when they are done you lift them out again.

good luck. edward :-P