A couple of more questions

[sds888]

Ok I got a nuc about a week and half ago on Sunday. On Thurs I peeked only had one frame drawn. Looked today the bees were climbing over each other to get in and out of the hive so I removed the entrance reducer and i said that I am going on vaction I am going to peek again. Well today they had 9 of the ten frames drawn out and had honey and brood on them. I could not find the queen thought. I am very woried about that. But anyways I went ahead and put another deep on after I moved to frames of brood and pollen up into the top deep. There were eggs on the frames. I have done anything wrong? and should I be worried about not seeing the queen

Also some math. If the queen lays 1900 eggs a day a 1900 bees die a day. how do you get more bees? Maybe I am over thinking this.

[riverrat]

Relax. I very seldom look specifically for the queen. It is much easier to look for signs that the queen is present and laying well. Baiting them up into the second deep is a good idea to help keep them moving. As for the bees born and bees dying off remember bees dont read the same books we do.:D

[sds888]

Thanks I just am nervous as my first hive died and this is the only one I have. One more question Sorry for all of these question it is hard to remember everything I was wanting to ask. 1:1 syurp. Is that one cup of sugar to one cup of water or does it go by mass because 1 gallon of water would be like 7lbs of sugar and that sounds alot to me. but then again I have been through 25lbs of sugar in the last three days feeding 1 gallon of sugar to 1 gallon of water. Thank yall so much for all of the help. they are really sucking it down but not much nectar flow out there.

[cphilip]

I do a ratio of volume. 1:1

I just eyeball it. I fill the jar half with sugar and finish filling it with Hot water. Its not a precise thing really. But I don't feed much anymore since my hives are pretty established.

If they are sucking that much then its thriving. And it sounds like it is. Once they got comb built in that second deep you could probably cut back to a 2:1 (water:sugar). But if its working its working. Also they are using it for water too as dry as its been. Once we gets some rain and a flow going you will see them drop that Sugar water a lot for a while.... if we get that conditions that is.

Yea, its hot and dry and there is not much out there for them. It sounds like you have them booming though. That kind of growth in these conditions is excellent. We still have a chance for some Flow and still have a small flow going. Sourwood and Mamosa are blooming. Mine are finding some as they are bringing in some pollen and flying out to the woods for something.

For those that don't know, Stevens first hive he lost was a cut out that he did. And it was a difficult cut out in a closet and they could not tell if they got the queen nor were they really able to get many bees I don't think. Nor much comb with honey either. So thats why he is kind of nervous about this one that he paid good money for. However this one is a fully functioning unit so its hardly going to be as difficult as what he first tried to start out with, which was going to be tough regardless.

Now that being said, from what you just described... things are going really good for you. Except the weather... which your coping with nicely!

[Ross]

It is traditionally by weight, but in truth it doesn't really matter. It's not high science. I put dry sugar to about an inch from the rim, then add hot water and stir until it's back to about an inch from the rim. The bees eat, everybody is happy. You're doing fine. I likely would have waited another week to add the deep, but as long as you have enough bees to control the space they will be ok. It just gives SHB more room to play havoc.

[sds888]

Thanks cphillip When I get back from training and couple of days of vacation I am going to bring back your equipment just let me know if you need it before then.

[sds888]

Thanks Ross

[cphilip]

I read somewhere here of people just putting pure Sugar out in those hive top feeders without mixing with water and it working for them.

Yours, because of the heat and drought (at least this is what I think) are also benefiting from the water being right there for them.

Don't need it Steven. Not expecting any swarms this time of year. And don't really want any more either!

[Ross]

The straight sugar is typically used for winter feeding. There is usually an excess of moisture in the hive at that time. The sugar absorbs moisture and feeds the bees. I used it on one hive starting in Feb this year. They built up nicely on it. I'm afraid this time of year they would just remove it as trash.

[cphilip]

Probably... they have to be thirsty around here more than anything. We are in severe drought conditions here in the upstate of SC. And have not been below 96 in over a week. Haven't seen rain in several weeks either. They wouldn't be able to do much with dry Sugar I am afraid and the pests it might attract could be worse.

[Budster]

Well today they had 9 of the ten frames drawn out and had honey and brood on them. I could not find the queen thought.

I'm a 3rd year rookie... If I see capped brood, larva and/or eggs, I'm pretty much satisfied... As MB's tagline says... "Everything works if you let it" or something like that!