Hives doing very well

tom · December 11, 2006, 12:50:14 AM

Howdy All

Today was a beautiful day after the clod we have been having temps in the 20s. But today was warm and pleasant and my girls were all over the place cleaning and gathering water from everywhere. But i did notice that hive three was bringing in a little pollen and of course hive two was at my feeders feeding off syrup and carrying it back home but they have a couple of more days of warm temps before it turns cold again so far they all are doing well and cleaning the hives of dead bees but not many all have plenty of stores except hive two but they refuse to stop taking food when given the chance to get it.

Tom

Finsky · December 11, 2006, 01:23:50 AM

Quote from: tom on December 11, 2006, 12:50:14 AM
two was at my feeders feeding off syrup and carrying it back home

Very strange to feed in winter and encourage to brood raising? Why you do that?

tom · December 11, 2006, 09:29:30 AM

Hello Finsky

The syrup is old and i never took it down due toi i have been busy doing other things. As for brood rearing they have not stopped they are sttill rearing brood in all of my hives the weather here has not been really to cold except for the past week to make them go into cluster. But hive two has no room for to much brood rearing because of the feed they have put away from the fall they are just finishing off what was left in the feeders.

Tom

Finsky · December 11, 2006, 10:32:32 AM

Quote from: tom on December 11, 2006, 09:29:30 AM
. As for brood rearing they have not stopped they are sttill rearing brood in all of my hives the weather here has not been really to cold except for the past week to make them go into cluster. But hive two has no room for to much brood rearing because of the feed they have put away from the fall they are just finishing off what was left in the feeders.

I cannot understand that. You live in south but I looked forecast and you have temperauture near freezing point. http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/unitedstates.html

The latitude is Mediterainian or north cost of Africa.

Have tree leaves falled down there?

tom · December 11, 2006, 08:38:43 PM

Hello Finsky

There are trees here on my farm that still has green leaves on them and there has to be some plants still blooming because my girls are still gathering pollen from somewhere. And you are right it has been below freezing here but this week is warm in the 60's during the day and 40's at nite and i'm not the only one that has bees bringing in pollen several others has said the same thing it's not alot but they are still getting it from some where and my queens has slowed down some but not alot they are still raising brood ine the middle frames. But i want to know will five frames of honey carry them thru till spring i have all New World Carniolans and one hive mixed with cordovan italians and they are in small clusters but the one that had bad mite problems has all but four frames filled with honey will this carry them the next three months.

TOM

Brian D. Bray · December 13, 2006, 08:39:52 AM

Tom,

You didn't indicated whether your hives are doubles or singles. Also, with the warmer temps you report the chances are the bees are bringing in pollen but little nectar. The pollen will stimulate brood production as will the warm weather spells. If your hives are singles and have 5 frames of honey I would plan on feeding in early February, maybe even late January. The warmer the weather remains the faster the bees will consume the honey due to brood production and activity. If your hives are doubles and only have 5 frames of honey left your hives may need feeding soon, especially if the activity level remains high.

Finsky · December 13, 2006, 09:48:53 AM

However it is "winter" coming there and bad weathers too. When weather is unsure, bees do not get pollen and perhaps during winter season they have lack of amino acids and vitamins. It situation is so, they take nutrition from their bodies and health of nursers will become weaker. You may read this from professional advices. If bees consume all their ealier pollen stories they will be in trouble.

As Brian has said, bees are not babies who need tit bottle all the time. But if you Tom feel yourself better, then you love bees all the way to death. Nosema likes that way. Write on grave stone "with deep love".

It is said that nosema depends first of all the nutrition of wintering bees.

read this from Australia:

http://www.maff.gov.au/releases/05/05165wt.html

.

KONASDAD · December 13, 2006, 10:53:21 AM

Sooooooo, if you have a warm fall or spells of warmth and your bees are flying, they will consume their stores? You then feed earlier in the spring? Do you feed sugar water, or polen or both?
I will probably have this situation as my bees are still flying frequently, gathering small amounts of pollen even though we have had hard frosts and freezing temps for a few days in a row, then 55F days.

Finsky · December 13, 2006, 11:02:24 AM

Quote from: KONASDAD on December 13, 2006, 10:53:21 AM
I will probably have this situation as my bees are still flying frequently,

It is really normal and bees have developed in Africa and warm climate. Warm weather is better than cold. It is sure.

Australians have examined that is it possible to raise bees during short winter and then enjoy of great foraging capacity at once when flowers give nectar. 16C is minimun where bees ordinary can collect pollen and nectar. - The answers was no. Hives become sick if you tried to feed and forced then to produce brood during winter period.

Zoot · December 13, 2006, 01:49:22 PM

Finsky, BrIan,

Both of my hives are very light now, very minimal stores now due to our continued warm weather (supposed to be in the 60's for the next few days). The bees are actively foraging and, I assume continuing to eat up whatever stores remain. These past few weeks are often our coldest of the winter - not this year.

What's confusing to many of us is the concern over a seeming conflict of advice: many sources are adamant in advising not to feed syrup over the winter and this seems like sound advice. But if your hives are low on stores now in early December and if we get severe cold which is likely, how will they survive until February when it becomes feasable to feed syrup again?

Many of the oldtimers around here feed fondant to hives (starting during the winter, not at the end) that are low on stores, either in cakes or candy boards, then resume feeding syrup in Feb. or March.

KONASDAD · December 13, 2006, 03:32:27 PM

Zoot articulated my conscerns better. My hives have lost about 20lbs of weight since early November and the coldest part of winter has not yet occurred.

Finsky · December 13, 2006, 03:44:20 PM

Quote from: Zoot on December 13, 2006, 01:49:22 PM
Finsky, BrIan,

Both of my hives are very light now, very minimal stores now due to our continued warm weather

You live here http://pix.epodunk.com/locatorMaps/md/MD_2539.gif

If hive has brood it consumes very soon it's stores.

If I had now that situation, I would open the hive and I would put capped frames on sides and empty combs in the middle. Then I woud feed them with warm, 60% syrup. Perhaps they do not take. Then you may fill combs with syrup and give them right in the middle of the hive and capped food on sides.

But first I would look inside, how much they have food and what is going on. On full capped langstroth is egual 3-4 lbs dry sugar.

tom · December 13, 2006, 04:53:10 PM

Hello All

Brian my hives are singles and they are bringing in pollen i am not the only one around here that is seeing the same thing the weather here is cold and warm. But i have looked in my hives and they have stores but we still have ttwo more months of weather to come and yes finsky i do love my bees and they all have been treated for nosema as i was told this by my state bee inspector and my hives seem to be doing real well. I also have pollen substitute on hand and extra syrup ready as a stand by so i am prepared for what comes next. I care about all creaturs big and small and i have some freinds that has been doing this for years that has been giving some advice but i take all advice from everyone that knows what they are doing i love my bees and i will die loving what i love doing.

Tom

Finsky · December 13, 2006, 05:24:14 PM

Hello Tom, you well armed

Zoot · December 13, 2006, 10:39:01 PM

Finsky,
Yes, that's where we live. Maryland is an interesting state when it comes to weather; the western part can experience near alpine conditions in winter (sub-zero temps, heavy annual snowfall) in the high plateau region (ie: Grantsville, Cumberland). The coast is far more temperate and where we are can swing between either extreme in winter. On the average we are 10 degrees colder here than in Wash. DC 24 miles away. Also, the growing season is about 2 weeks behind. But this winter it's mild all over the state.

I'll be looking into the hives again tomorrow as it's supposed to be near 65 degrees F.

Brian D. Bray · December 13, 2006, 11:24:29 PM

When feeding syrup in winter it is important to keep the syrup warm.
1. Use warm water and check/feed daily.
2. Wrap feeder in terrium or other low wattage heater/warmer. If you're using an open top feeder even an aquarium heater will work to keep the syrup warm.
3. Feed bee candy (Fondant).

If you have extremely low stores for the time of year your choice is to feed or loose your bees.
Yes, Nosema can be a problem when winter feeding. My choice would be to Roll the dice and feed.