[stdavis]

I just installed a new package yesterday and put a gallon baggie in the bottom with a few slits in the top of 5/3 ratio sugar water. It's on the other side of the follower board with a single 1" hole drilled in it. After more than 24 hours the bees don't seem to have touched it. There were a few bees crawling around on it but they don't seem to be interested. They are flying and seemed to be forging later today. There are also quite a few blooms out in my area including cherry and pear trees. I don't seem many dead bees on the ground and only a few in the hive. Should I be worried that they are not taking the syrup? This is my first experience with bees and just want to be sure that I don't neglect them.

Thanks, in advance!

 

[stdavis]

It's been getting up to 70 degrees during the day. Is that warm enough? I see a few bees going over to that side of the follower board. Just none drinking that I can see.

I'm worried about bothering them if I try to move the baggie. Also a bit worried about making a huge mess if I try to move it.

How do I know if they are starving? Lots of dead bees? I see only a couple of dead bees.

 

[stdavis]

Doesn't matter much now since they absconded yesterday afternoon. So discouraging!

They left about 3 inches of comb on one bar. A few cells had pollen and almost every other had an egg in it. No nectar at all. Any ideas? I did have a few ants trying to get to the feed bag.