[cristianNiculae]

Let's say you have some nucs and want to help their build up feeding some sugar syrup.

HOw do you do it?

- feed only at night? (you still have the syrup stored in the combs wich can attract robbers)
- reduce entrance
- don't feed at all?

I had robbing problems last year and some problems this year again; this time on a powerfull hive being attacked right near the weaker one as it had a jar feeder installed(also protected by an empty box). I stopped feeding and robbing stopped after 2 days.

 

[Emanuel Romania]

I've used small plastic bags filled with syrup and placed on the frames made a few holes with a needle ... they ate it all up and had no robbing whatsoever

 

[cristianNiculae]

I see no difference between the two feeding options. The jar that I use penetrates the crown board and the holes are right above the frames (7 holes)

Do you put the right amount so that they finish until morning or remove the feed in the morning?

 

[NY_BLUES]

Reduce entrance to a very small one or two bee wide space and feed.

 

[Emanuel Romania]

I actually gave them a max of 300ml every 3days they'd finish it of in a couple of hours my hives are booming now how are yours christian

 

[cristianNiculae]

8 frames of brood and lots of pollen in one and less in the other. They are booming indeed but don't have a real nectar flow yet.

Did you start adding foundation to the sides of the brood nest?

I'm still afraid to do it as the temps during the nights are low (3 C)

http://daveybees.wikidot.com/openingthesides

 

[WWW]

Crown board feeding and ziplock bag feeding should work equally as well, When I was feeding hives 2 years ago I fed enough to last them a week. The key is to reduce the entrance to an easily defendable size which will vary according to the colony population, you can judge this by watching the activity midday and give the bees just enough of an opening so that they are not falling over each other coming and going. something to avoid is having any syrup in open containers while you are working the hives, bees have a real keen sense of smell.

 

[cristianNiculae]

Thanks.

If I feed only during the night does the syrup stored in frames attract robbers more then the natural nectar?

 

[Emanuel Romania]

I've opened the broodnest several times so far had to add the second deep add brought them to a fruit tree plantation there is a decent flow going on and I've added foundation frames in and on the sides of the broodnest temperatures are low of 5-8c at night where exactly are u cristian my dad is from sebes alba

 

[WWW]

The stored syrup shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cristianNiculae]

Then I'm relieved. I live where I have the bees and have bees where I live
Probably this is the way in my case: provide only the amount of syrup that can be sucked until morning.

 

[rkereid]

Feed inside the hive with entrance reduced to the smallest workable size, and feed late in the day near dusk. As a second option also install robbing screens to prevent it from starting.

 

[David LaFerney]

Use robber screens. They are very simple to make and they work. It is best if you put them on at the time you make up nucs, but they can be added later.

 

[cristianNiculae]

Use robber screens. They are very simple to make and they work. It is best if you put them on at the time you make up nucs, but they can be added later.

I haven't thought of that but it is a very good idea to put them right on start. This way home bees will quicly learn the trick. Thanks

 

[Michael Bush]

>- feed only at night? (you still have the syrup stored in the combs wich can attract robbers)

Yes.

>- reduce entrance

Yes.

>- don't feed at all?

That is an option. You can also feed the strong hives and steal honey for the weak ones...

 

[Paul McCarty]

I have used candy year round before. Hard to rob candy. It will keep them alive, but they will not store it away.