Over feeding in the winter?

[RangerBrad]

Hey Folks,
I was wondering if you can over feed in the winter and what problems may arise?

The reason I ask is a couple of weeks ago I made what was going to be my last feeding of the year and when I went down to put it in the buckets I found one hive had not taken their syrup from the previous time as I hate to waste the syrup I went ahead and topped them off. I feed in 1 gal buckets set on top of the inner cover with super bodies around and top cover over. I figured with the bees inside it would probably stay warm enough to keep from freezing and breaking the feeders. What say yal to this? Thank's, Brad

[backyard warrior]

I think you should stop feeding the bees imediately take off the sugar syrup!!!!!!!!  You dont want to give syrup this time of year because of the moisture it puts into the hive. The bees cant convert the syrup into a usuable feed when its cold out. In the spring you feed syrup in the late  fall and winter you feed dry sugar, fondant, pollen patties or candy frames if they really really need it but you should be feeding them in the later summer not in the winter :)

[AllenF]

If you feed them too much, they become honey bound, meaning that there is no room to lay eggs.  All the comb is taken up with honey.   And with you feeding, feed 2 to 1 (think syrup) for fall/ winter storage.  They will put it up and it will not make them think they need for bees like when you feed 1 to 1 for spring growth.  What do your frames look like with honey/ food in the frames and brood and bees.

[Finski]

Hey Folks,
I was wondering if you can over feed in the winter and what problems may arise?

when you give winter syrup, it must be so much that cells are full and bees may cover the food. Bees do not cover the food if it is too few.

Uncovered food takes moisture from air and starts to ferment.

Winter food should be feeded during one week that it does not inspire bees to start brooding.


You live quote in south and I think that you have no problem with winter food.
If the hive has brood, it consumes food stores very quickly.

I looked your forecast and it seems to be frost  -5C or so at night. This is not time to feed hives.


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