I get cutouts from a bee remover. I'll prepare the hive for them to go into and put them into it after dusk. This way they don't fly off. The only issue with this is that sometimes I get the bees in the morning. It gets pretty hot here in the summer, so I do my best to keep them in the shade. I'll give them water at least; sometimes honey. This morning I got a healthy bucket with another bucket of cutout brood to set them up with in the new box. Several times today I went out to give them some honey (I dripped it through the screens in the bucket, getting on the bees, of course). They also got probably 1/2 - 3/4 cup of water. This evening I go to dump them into the box, and I was surprised to see so many dead; probably half. They mound of dead had a sheen to them, as if they got too much honey. Overall, I didn't put in more than 1/2 a cup.
I'm tired of killing these bees unnecessarily. I know cutouts are traumatic to them, however I know the remover and he's very consciencious. When he gets them to me they are in as good a shape as they can be, all things considered.
I want to give the bees the best chance. Would water throughout the day most likely be sufficient? Honey not needed?
I'm tired of killing these bees unnecessarily. I know cutouts are traumatic to them, however I know the remover and he's very consciencious. When he gets them to me they are in as good a shape as they can be, all things considered.
I want to give the bees the best chance. Would water throughout the day most likely be sufficient? Honey not needed?