Hi everyone; saw bees early this feb. but it's gotten cold in march and I need to start feeding soon. Should I just open them and get started or wait the week they are saying it will take to get it the 40's (still a little cold)
If it's too cold they won't take the syrup anyway. But I know how hard it is to wait. My schedule is usually a complete mess so I feed when I can, even if it's early and I take some small comfort in the fact that the syrup is there if they need, want and can take it.
Thanks Ravenseye, I lost one hive late last year, and was hoping I didn't short this hive when I harvested last fall. I thought I could smell the honey when I saw the bees flying in feb, but today I couldn't
frazor, adding to the good advise already given, if the bees are short on stores there is no need to wait for the perfect day, lift the lid and place some granulated sugar on the top frames, first place a piece of newspaper on the frames then the sugar on the paper.
Being able to read what is happening inside the hive during winter without opening it is really beneficial. Starting in The fall of the year when the bees have gone into cluster, Heft (lift) the back of the hive and get a feel of the hives weight, then take a stethoscope and place it on one side of the hive while giving a rap on the other side with your knuckles to get used to what they sound like. Now you can check on them throughout winter in any weather and have a very good idea of their condition without opening the hive.
We had slipped a feed patty under the cover of each of our 4 hives maybe 6 weeks ago. A couple weeks backs we added a medium of honey to each that we had held back from last fall. I think the sugar is a good option, it doesn't hurt give them a bit, they will use it if needed. Good luck.
we had some warm days a couple weeks ago in MD, i set up an open feeder about 50' away from my hive and fed them for a couple days. they sucked it dry in no time.
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