Lethargic bees...going to die?

[mandalynn]

I wrote a post on changing a bucket feeder to a hive top feeder because the bucket feeder was leaking somehow. I went just a little bit ago to check if they are using the hive top feeder, and they haven't touched it. You can't even hear them humming in the hive. They are all in a cluster and hardly moving. The couple that are moving are stumbling around. None are flying. I got the bucket feeder to work, I wish I would have messed with it a bit more. :doh: I'm so sad. I hope they make it, but it still gets below freezing at night. They haven't eaten for a day now. They aren't even eating the pollen patty. Any suggestions? Are they going to die?

[Michael Bush]

Are there stores in the hive? Are they sticky and wet from the leaky feeder? If there are no stores, I would put a jar with warm syrup, with holes in the lid directly over the cluster and cover it up with towels.

[tecumseh]

you have not given any information on temperture...

you write:
They are all in a cluster and hardly moving.

tecumseh:
sounds like starvation or the inability to access stores. if air temperature is above say 50 dribble or spray (do not drown) a bit of feed over the top of the cluster. watch for perhaps 5 minutes to see if their activity level increases. if yes, then starvation is the likely cause. a feeder that they can access directly (like michael bush describes is what I would use) should reinvigorate the hive quite quickly.

[mandalynn]

The temperature was about 45 degrees. I sprayed some sugar water around them on the frames, and I changed feeders to a bucket feeder. I have gone out by their hive at below 45 degrees, and I have been able to hear them through the hive. Now they are just quiet. I hope the change in feeders and an increased temperature today helps them. I have now visited them 3 times since Saturday (when I put them in the hive), I think I'm going to leave them alone for the rest of the week. Is this a good idea? Thanks for the advice! I need it!

[France]

I wrote a post on changing a bucket feeder to a hive top feeder because the bucket feeder was leaking somehow. I went just a little bit ago to check if they are using the hive top feeder, and they haven't touched it. You can't even hear them humming in the hive. They are all in a cluster and hardly moving. The couple that are moving are stumbling around. None are flying. I got the bucket feeder to work, I wish I would have messed with it a bit more. :doh: I'm so sad. I hope they make it, but it still gets below freezing at night. They haven't eaten for a day now. They aren't even eating the pollen patty. Any suggestions? Are they going to die?


Bucket feeder?
How cold is it, there, where you are at?
Hive-top feeders and plastic pails is not a good idea for feeding in the cold. (They are meant for Fall feeding.) Get yourself a quart pickle jar, (glass) and give them some warm 1/1 syrup - right over the cluster. (Have two. Take the empty one away and replace it with full one)
When bees are clustered, cold and perhaps hungry to boot - they are not able to break away and go search for food. Even if they were able? They won't go to a cold feeder and climb up and in to get food. Plastic buckets get cold and leak - no matter how much you mess with them.
And yes, too much fiddling around bees when cold does not help them at all. I absolutely shudder when I read how many and how often they stick their noses about and into the hives in the winter. (Than they are surprised when bees fail!?)
Bees in winter need rest and absolute quiet. (Depending on the surroundings they are in) My bees are in total wilderness and mare walk in the vicinity brings a few to the entrance and they are lost at this time of the year.

Another thing: Are those bees an established hive or a new one that you just recently started? (I gather that down south new hives are already in the making?)

[France]

Well, I see that you since posted the temperature.
At 45 degrees? I don't know if at your place bees move at such temperatures. Mine do, but they are "northern" bees and acclimatized on their surroundings and weather.

My bet is that they are hungry. Warm syrup is the way to go and I too hope that a bit of a warmer weather will help them get some food.

Good luck!

Regards,
France