New hive ...sugar water feeder

[rayb]

The new hive ( installed three weeks ago) is doing well with three frames of capped brood and a good amount of eggs,larva ,pollen and capped honey. The bees took alot of sugar water the first week and I refilled it then. They have been taking very little since then. There is a slight filmy look on thre surface and several hundred ants are dead in it. There is no mold.
Is it normal for them to be taking so little now?
Should I replace it with fresh sugar water if it sits for a long time?
How long do I give them before removing it completely?

Thanks, Ray

[Michael Bush]

>Is it normal for them to be taking so little now?

Yes.  Usually they will stop when there is nectar.  Sometimes they don't and they fill the brood nest with syrup.

>Should I replace it with fresh sugar water if it sits for a long time?

If it hasn't spoiled I wouldn't.  If it has, then I would throw it out.

>How long do I give them before removing it completely?

I would remove it completly when there is nectar available.