Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Jen on March 01, 2022, 02:57:49 pm

Title: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: Jen on March 01, 2022, 02:57:49 pm
I have forgotten this tidbit. I'm needing drawn wax pronto. Should I feed syrup to the bees to encouage wax drawing?
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: The15thMember on March 01, 2022, 04:41:00 pm
Absolutely!  Bees will not draw unless there is a flow, so if you aren't having a natural flow, then syrup should encourage them to get building. 
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: iddee on March 01, 2022, 05:21:19 pm
Water should be 1 to 1, or even 1 sugar to 2 water. Thin for wax building.
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: Jen on March 01, 2022, 07:30:04 pm
Oh Yah!

Now, I don't feed internally, I like jars on top of the hive. This year we have had crazy early spring. Soo much early capped brood the hives are getting stuffed. The nights are still dropping down to below 40 and up to 60+ during the afternoon. It takes too long for the syrup to warm up from the cold mornings. Should I bring the jars of syrup in at night? 
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: The15thMember on March 01, 2022, 08:10:57 pm
Oh Yah!

Now, I don't feed internally, I like jars on top of the hive. This year we have had crazy early spring. Soo much early capped brood the hives are getting stuffed. The nights are still dropping down to below 40 and up to 60+ during the afternoon. It takes too long for the syrup to warm up from the cold mornings. Should I bring the jars of syrup in at night? 
Something I have done in temperatures like that is warmed up the syrup in the microwave in the mornings, evenings, or both, so they are able to take it easier.  Obviously not practical with many hives, but with just a few it's not too much work. 
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: iddee on March 01, 2022, 08:17:25 pm
Two jars per hive. Swap them out in an instant when needed. Keep the idol one in the warm.
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: Jen on March 02, 2022, 12:58:19 am
Thanks everyone, just starting to get my bee brain on for the season  ;)
Title: Re: Feeding syrup to encourage bees to draw wax
Post by: Zweefer on March 06, 2022, 12:40:18 pm
Wish I could say the same. We have most of a month left here before things start to pick up…


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