Well, I think my two hives will make it. We are past any really cold days. We have had 50-60s for a week.
I used the “mountaincamp” method and feel it is the thing to do in my area. I noticed them on the hard crusty sugar on warm (40ish) days for the last month. The upper entrance on my top shim is another thing I will be sure to repeat. They have been using it exclusively all late winter since the bees are up high in the top box.
This week we finally got out of cold 0-30’s cold snap. It has been in the 50-60’s for one week. The 2 hives have drank a gallon of sugar water and continue to clean up the sugar on the top bars during this warm spell.
Question 1: I noticed today they were bringing in “pollen” at least their pollen sacks had a grayish /white pollen looking on it!!! I saw several come in with this…We have NOTHING even close to blooming here in south east South Dakota..What the heck could this be?? My Salix crap willows will be the first and they are dormant as heck.
Question 2: I have bee pro patties. Should I give one to each hive now?? I am not wanting a BIG build up yet since June-July seems to be the flow months here for clover. I don’t want to fight swarming, that is the main reason I am leery to give them pollen..but if they are finding some old crap left over from fall, should I not give them what they need??
Gun—who wants to thank those that push the sugar on top/upper entrance/wrap/ insulate the top cover crowd who saved his bees this year.
I used the “mountaincamp” method and feel it is the thing to do in my area. I noticed them on the hard crusty sugar on warm (40ish) days for the last month. The upper entrance on my top shim is another thing I will be sure to repeat. They have been using it exclusively all late winter since the bees are up high in the top box.
This week we finally got out of cold 0-30’s cold snap. It has been in the 50-60’s for one week. The 2 hives have drank a gallon of sugar water and continue to clean up the sugar on the top bars during this warm spell.
Question 1: I noticed today they were bringing in “pollen” at least their pollen sacks had a grayish /white pollen looking on it!!! I saw several come in with this…We have NOTHING even close to blooming here in south east South Dakota..What the heck could this be?? My Salix crap willows will be the first and they are dormant as heck.
Question 2: I have bee pro patties. Should I give one to each hive now?? I am not wanting a BIG build up yet since June-July seems to be the flow months here for clover. I don’t want to fight swarming, that is the main reason I am leery to give them pollen..but if they are finding some old crap left over from fall, should I not give them what they need??
Gun—who wants to thank those that push the sugar on top/upper entrance/wrap/ insulate the top cover crowd who saved his bees this year.