feeding

[tincan]

when should you feed 1to1 sugar and when should you not  and how long do you feed  what will it help or hurt .I quite feeding when apple blossoms came out  should I feed longer    thanks

[AndrewT]

That really depends on what you're doing.  Is is a package colony?  Is it a second year colony?  Are they on drawn comb or do they have many empty frames? 

[Kathyp]

and what's going on inside.  if they have no stores, you need to feed.  if they are bringing in plenty, then don't.

[tincan]

mostly on drawn comb most first year bees some from trapouts just wondering if I should be feeding or not to boost strength of hive the package bees had pollen patties and did not touch them. sugar water they were drinking    thanks

[Michael Bush]

>when should you feed 1to1 sugar and when should you not  and how long do you feed  what will it help or hurt .I quite feeding when apple blossoms came out  should I feed longer

You can feed whatever mixture any time.  The results in the fall, when feeding 1:1 are that they take longer to dry it and they have to work harder.  So 2:1 is preferred in the fall. In the spring I see no difference but I seldom feed in the spring.  If I do I feed 5:3 because I can get it to dissolve easier than 2:1 and it keeps better than 1:1.

If there is a flow I would not feed.  If they have adequate stores I would not feed.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#when

    "Q. When is the best time to feed the bees?

    "A. The best thing is never to feed them, but let them gather their own stores. But if the season is a failure, as it is some years in most places, then you must feed. The best time for that is just as soon as you know they will need feeding for winter; say in August or September. October does very well, however, and even if you haven't fed until December, better feed then than to let the bees starve."

    --C.C. Miller, A Thousand Answers to Beekeeping Questions, 1917