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NEWBEE HERE,
WONDERING IF I SHOULD BE CONSIDERING FEEDING MY PACKAGE BEES WITH ALL OF THIS RAIN THEY PROBABLY HAVE NOT BEEN OUT FORAGING MUCH. ANY FEED BACK WOULD BE HELPFUL.
WONDERING IF I SHOULD BE CONSIDERING FEEDING MY PACKAGE BEES WITH ALL OF THIS RAIN THEY PROBABLY HAVE NOT BEEN OUT FORAGING MUCH. ANY FEED BACK WOULD BE HELPFUL.
Hello Lindsay,
I captured a swarm two days ago placing it into 10 frames of foundation. Within 24 hours they had drawn out 4 full frames of comb.
The weather does affect foraging but before feeding it is important to assess the internal condition of the hive.
Where are you located?
Scott
I captured a swarm two days ago placing it into 10 frames of foundation. Within 24 hours they had drawn out 4 full frames of comb.
The weather does affect foraging but before feeding it is important to assess the internal condition of the hive.
Where are you located?
Scott
Hello Lindsay,
The feeding question is one of those nuanced questions that divide beekeepers.
There are two camps. Feed or don't feed. I fall into the feed category. However, I don't necessarily feed during the nectar flow season (loosely defined as starting with dandelion and ending with goldenrod. Some people will feed when installing packaged bees into foundation only. This feeding is designed to simulate nectar flow which created wax production. I feed only between early April and end when dandelion pokes out and only in hive that need the sugar. I feed in October ending in early November and only for those hives that need the sugar.
An assessment of the hive is needed before any feeding should occur. There are many questions to be answered.
Here are a few"
What is your system? (two deeps and a super?)
When did you install the package?
Did you start with foundation only?
How much of the wax has been drawn?
How many frames have drawn foundation in each deep?
Are there eggs?
Is there capped brood?
What does the brood pattern look like?
Is there nectar and pollen being brought in?
I hope this helps
The feeding question is one of those nuanced questions that divide beekeepers.
There are two camps. Feed or don't feed. I fall into the feed category. However, I don't necessarily feed during the nectar flow season (loosely defined as starting with dandelion and ending with goldenrod. Some people will feed when installing packaged bees into foundation only. This feeding is designed to simulate nectar flow which created wax production. I feed only between early April and end when dandelion pokes out and only in hive that need the sugar. I feed in October ending in early November and only for those hives that need the sugar.
An assessment of the hive is needed before any feeding should occur. There are many questions to be answered.
Here are a few"
What is your system? (two deeps and a super?)
When did you install the package?
Did you start with foundation only?
How much of the wax has been drawn?
How many frames have drawn foundation in each deep?
Are there eggs?
Is there capped brood?
What does the brood pattern look like?
Is there nectar and pollen being brought in?
I hope this helps
Scott did you capture the swarm with a trap? If so could you share your technique ?
Hello Lindsey,
This particular swarm was under the insulation of a garage ceiling.
We used a tote, placing it under the main cluster, pressed it up tight against the ceiling and slid it back and forth until the bees dropped in.
We got the queen and they have drawn 8 frames of foundation with the queen laying eggs. All in about a week.
Gotta love free bees
Scott
This particular swarm was under the insulation of a garage ceiling.
We used a tote, placing it under the main cluster, pressed it up tight against the ceiling and slid it back and forth until the bees dropped in.
We got the queen and they have drawn 8 frames of foundation with the queen laying eggs. All in about a week.
Gotta love free bees
Scott
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