I've been feeding my 2 hives pretty heavy sugar water (1:2 water:sugar) for about the last month or so because the dearth hit our area, blooms just dried right up! I saw a lot of foragers taking flights, up and away, but never able to follow them. Also noted a decrease in the amount of pollen they were bringing in ('tis the season, right?) 1 Qt. Bottle would typically last 2-3 days when I started, and I was gradually increasing the concentration (more sugar, less water). Last bottle lasted 4-5 days on the hive. I typically give them a few days w/o any sugar water after they finished the bottle, then refill and replace.
Last week I put a good bottle of sugar syrup on maybe 1:3(!), it's been over a week, and they're only about halfway through it? Using 1 Qt. jars inverted into the inner-cover (with holes punched in the lids).
Do the bee's not like super-concentrated sugar water? By feeding super-concentrated are they just using less volume (but still getting sufficient food)?
Both hives started out as packages this Spring, so not too big, I've kept them to just 1 deep for the hive body (and it still isn't all drawn out?). The hope is to get them strong and hold strong over winter, go gangbusters in the Spring.
Thanks for the advice/suggestions.
- Kevin