[wholesomedirt]

I have two packages sucking up the syrup. The problem is that we are having a minor cold snap. In the mid 40s now, low of 32 tonight. They are likely going to run out of syrup this afternoon. Should I let then go a day without our should I feed them? Didn't know if I should open the hive or not?

 

[DocHivetool]

It's amazing how much syrup they can down, eh? Haven't they any stores at all?

 

[wholesomedirt]

They've been in two days and I haven't even checked yet

 

[DocHivetool]

Roger that. I'll defer to more seasoned vets' opinions. Not trying to give you a rookie opinion before you can get some expert advice...
Are you using top feeder, or one between the bars? It doesn't sound like entrance feeder...

 

[wholesomedirt]

Top feeder on the inner cover

 

[squarepeg]

it's supposed to warm up pretty quick, back into the sixties tomorrow, and there is plenty of pollen and nectar available. i'm not an expert but i'll bet they won't starve in the meantime.

 

[mark williams]

May not be the right way,But it is my way,(so probly wrong)LOL,Anyway with a package I feed even with a flow on until they quit taking it.As far as going a day I don't think they will starve.

 

[Andrew Dewey]

The bees should make it for a day or two without liquid feed. Optimally, you would have checked to see if the syrup was being immediately used, or used currently and stored as well. Presumably these are new packages installed on foundation? What I would have been looking for is if some of the cells being drawn by the bees are being used for storage. If it were me, and I'm writing from Maine where I haven't see the inside of a bee hive since last November, I'd refill the feeder. If they don't take the syrup for a day or so until things warm up no big deal, It doesn't sound like it will be cold enough long enough for the syrup to freeze. Just long enough for the bees to form a cluster and perhaps stop taking syrup for a day or so.

 

[Margot1d]

Im getting a package next weekend and it will be around 50 for the foreseeable forecast. 50's is not really comb drawing weather so it's best to put packages on already drawn comb at these temps. Bees cluster head in butt out inside of cells. On foundation there are no cells to cluster in and nowhere to store feed.

 

[Gilligan]

Not to thread jack, but I have the same question.

I vacuumed out a hive out of a tree and didn't salvage any of the comb for them. I had several pounds of bees and I started feeding right away so they could make comb (I'm foundationless). I have given them 3/4 of a gallon of 2:1 syrup and they have produced a LOT of comb... about half of an 8 frame medium.

They are storing lots of it in the combs of course as well as a bit of pollen that they are slowly starting to bring in. When they were in their tree, they were bringing in pollen pretty steady and they had lots of pollen but also already had a lot of stores of honey from last year.

I got lucky and think I have a queen (amazing that I got her as it was all just blindly vacuuming) and they are now out of feed.

Since they are storing the syrup, should I stop feeding now? This is South Louisiana for what it's worth.

 

[beehonest]

I would keep food on them, what kind of feeder? It won't hurt it to sit a day or two, and its there if they want it. I usually put some HBH or something in there keeps it frome fermenting but there are a lot of options for that, lemon juice, vinigar, etc.

 

[Gilligan]

It's the bunt cake style top feeder.

 

[wholesomedirt]

FYI went and checked today. They were fine and flying about. I did not feed. Thanks for the advice, guys.

 

[squarepeg]

i tend not to feed much at all, especially during a flow. i've never tried to do a package install on new equipment but if i did i would consider using a little syrup until they got going and then let them build up on the flow. we're approaching main flow here in the southeast.