When to stop feeding?

**Splatt** · 08-30-2012, 08:37 PM

I've been feeding for some time now to get my bees in shape for winter. As time has passed they've started taking more and more (2 liters a day now), but they've started storing it as well (which is OK). Is there a point where I should stop feeding?

I consulted a few of the books I have, and what I took away was: "feed until they don't take it anymore". Makes sense, but my concern is that they'll fill up the both boxes and swarm. I don't think I'm in the danger zone yet -- during my last inspection there were about three empty frames in the lower box (so the queen still has room), and about seven in the upper. My assumption is that you just have to keep a close eye on them and add a super when the upper box gets about 7-8 frames capped.

**ralittlefield** · 08-30-2012, 08:53 PM

It is possible for them to store too much and become honey bound. They will need some empty cells in some of the frames in the center. The trick is to get the hive up to the weight required to make it through the winter without becoming honey bound. I don't know what that weight is for your area, maybe you could speak with some local folks to find out.

**jadell** · 08-30-2012, 08:55 PM

If you feed until they stop taking it, they will back-fill the broodnest and swarm. Your thinking is correct. I only feed if they need it. I would stop before the broodnest gets congested or you reach a fitting winter weight. Sounds like you're going to have good beek instincts, good luck!

**Splatt** · 08-30-2012, 09:19 PM

Thanks. That makes me feel better. My hive definitely needs it (they were a mid-season acquisition), but I'm anticipating some sort of fall flow, too, so I'm trying to gauge the stopping point. I'll put some feelers out as to hive weight for winter.

**Splatt** · 08-31-2012, 07:13 PM

We just had some rain here (hallelujah!). Is there generally a flow after a rain? We've not had much here over the summer, so I expect to see some blooming.

**psfred** · 08-31-2012, 07:36 PM

Don't know for sure about a honey flow where you are, but yes, typically there is a burst of bloom when it rains after a dry spell.

Feed until you are sure there is plenty of stored honey in the hive and/or the bees are reluctant to take the syrup while bringing in large amounts -- you will see lots of bees crash landing on the landing board and dozens at a time coming and going if there is a flow on. They do better on nectar than syrup, of course.

Also check weekly to see what they are storing and how much -- you can stop feeding for sure when your overwintering configuration, whatever that is, is full but you still have brood in the brood nest.

Check for pollen stores too -- if there isn't much stored pollen, feed at least half a pound per hive of supplement, they will be needing large amounts of protein for making winter bees. If they gobble that down (and store it) very quickly, add another half pound per hive. The normal course of events is for them to use up a good deal of the stored pollen making "winter bees" in the fall -- these bees have large amounts of protein stored in internal storage organs which is used to feed the rounds of brood produced in the winter when they are clustered and cannot to get any stored pollen not covered by the cluster. Lack of protein in the fall results in poor brood production in late winter.

Peter

**Joseph Clemens** · 08-31-2012, 08:28 PM

In our desert region, Southern Arizona, one good rain may not be enough to precipitate a nectar/pollen flow, but several rains, continuing regularly, or several good rains, followed by an overall drop in temperatures (out of the 100'sF and into the 80's or 90'sF), can lead to flows from various plants, including wildflowers that only appear when environmental conditions are right, or inspire a resurgence of flowering from plants that have already bloomed earlier in the season, such as Creosote Bush and Mesquite.

**Splatt** · 08-31-2012, 09:25 PM

Ok, thanks guys. I'll keep a close eye on them.

**Michael Palmer** · 09-01-2012, 05:18 AM

I don't know Utah, how much feed the bees need for winter, or what size hive you winter in. Whatever, you don't want to feed until they won't take any more. The bees need clustering space in the comb, and not just between the full combs of honey.

You should weigh the hives and feed accordingly. If you need 80 pounds of feed for winter, add that to the weight if your hive with bees, pollen, etc. A stocked double with no honey, weighs about 70 pounds. If your bees require 60 pounds for winter, feed until the hive weighs 130. My target weight, with two deeps and a medium, is 155.