Up and down temperatures?

[L Daxon]

Here in Oklahoma the weather has been very up and down. Highs in any given week go from 30 to 50+ (today it is going to be 55). Most nights it is below freezing. Last week we had a couple days where temps didn't get above freezing.  It seems at least twice a week I see the girls out flying. Other days I know they are hunkered down inside.

My question is: Are there any special management issues I need to know about with hives in this kind of weather pattern--where the bees are going in and out of cluster with some frequency?  On days like today where I know they are going to be out, I usually set out about 2 cups of 2-1 sugar syrup to give them something to do and it will usually be gone by the end of the day. (I have one hive and a nuc).  But does feeding them this time of year put too much moisture in the hive?

I checked on them about 10 days ago and didn't see any brood.

[Vance G]

You don't want to get stupid and chill your brood with a huge opening, but give them a little top opening to allow the moisture to escape.  Just a small opening  at the top will help.

[T Beek]

Open feeding syrup can/does cause robbing.  Beware. If you're gonna feed syrup, feed inside the hive.  With temps you've discribed syrup may not be the best option,dry sugar may be better,

Best thing you can do for your bees during cold weather as long as they have stores;  

Leave them bee :-D.

thomas

[BjornBee]

But does feeding them this time of year put too much moisture in the hive?

If syrup, of course it does.

What is the moisture content of honey? (18%)

What is the moisture content of your syrup? (33% or more)

Now factor in that with stored honey, the bees only uncap, eat, and process, what they need daily.

With syrup, they store it in cells, it never gets capped, and the added moisture it gives off, adds to the normal moisture levels that bees usually cope with very well.

I don't suggest a top entrance that lets heat out. A better choice would be to feed a solid food sources and not provide a top entrance. With enough solid feed, (fondant or dry sugar) you also will not need to go out and disturb the bees every week.

Here is some information....

http://www.bjornapiaries.com/feedingoptions.html

[T Beek]

 8-)Very cool BjornBee.  Did you make up that block of fondant or buy it someplace?  Are you willing to offer any tips? A recipe perhaps?  Seems like a perfect remedy for norhtern beeks and/or a worthy alternative to feeding dry sugar.

And the block is set "on Top" of the inner cover?  Is it reinforced somehow? Or do I just have cheap ones, since I don't think mine would hold 25# bolck?  Thanks for any answers.

thomas