Grumpy Bees - Light on Stores

[PA Pete]

Finally got all the way through my strong hive today and was upset to find less honey stores than I'd expected - no wonder they've been a little grumpy. They're in two deeps, and I estimate the top deep weighed maybe 60 lbs. Is that a little light? I was expecting at least a couple of frames of almost solid honey and didn't find it - max was maybe half a frame with the other half pollen.

I'm already feeding 2:1 via a 1 gal inverted jar hivetop. I'm thinking I should probably be feeding them via at least two and maybe three feeders if they'll take it. They seem like a good strong hive and have a couple frames of brood and plenty of pollen - just not as much honey as I'd like.

Thoughts?

-Pete

[Joel]

Welcome to a dought year! They will feed from more than 1 top feeder and also empty a single quicker with more holes punched in the lid. You're smart to be getting it too them so soon! The pollen this year has been incredible!

[Ross]

Yep, still over 100 degrees here this week and the weatherman says no rain before the end of the month. This is the driest year in recorded history here. I bought some 2 gallon plastic buckets with lids from Home Depot yesterday and drilled the lids with about 1/16" holes. We'll see how they take it and if they hold vacume well.