When should I stop the feeder

[medic229]

I am using a front hive feeder 1:1 sugar water.

I have 2 new hives, 1 - started 4/28; and 1 - started 5/20.

The first hive has been on the feeder ever since day 1
I was going to stop it after a month as they are foraging for pollen, but when i hived the 2nd hive i was afraid the older hive would rob from the newer hive so I decided to leave them both up and running.

When is it ok to stop feeding, everything in both hives looks good, i.e. eggs, pollen, nectar, brood etc all look like they are progressing fine.

Thanks
New Beekeeper since 4/08

Dana

[Brent Bean]

When I see them bring in abundant amounts of pollen, and they have a few frames of comb drawn out I stop feeding. Most times they will ignore sugar syrup and pollen patties when the real deal is available.

[EKW]

Keep feeding until the bees have drawn out 7-8 frames of foundation in the TOP hive body (for me that is 2 deeps, might be 1 deep, 3 deeps, or 2-4 mediums for others). I add the second deep when they have drawn 7-8 frames in the first deep. Bringing in pollen is no guarantee that they are getting enough nectar to make the comb they need. If you stop feeding and they don't bring in sufficient nectar they will shut down brood rearing until the flow increases. They need to have enough to both build wax and to feed the larvae. If they stop building comb, the queen may run out of cells to lay eggs in- then she will slow down or stop laying until the flow resumes. If there is a nectar flow on the bees will chose the nectar over the syrup.

[medic229]

Thanks very helpful

Dana

[jasontatro]

Dana,

I've been feeding since day one (4/26) and mine have a few more frames to go. Our "real deal" won't be here until the blackberries start to flow.... which should be any day now.

JT