Can't get to the hives. What should I do about feeding?

[Beeracuda]

I am a first year beekeeper.  I have four hives in double deeps.  Three of the four had good stores the last time I looked at them.  One was a little light.  It has a frame feeder in it, but unfortunately doesn't have any syrup in there.

I have been stuck in the hospital for almost 2 weeks now.  I was diagnosed with leukemia and have two more days of chemo.  Then I will basically be in isolation in my house for at least 3 more weeks before round 2 starts.  I don't know when I will be able to go outside and check on the girls.

Our daytime temps have been in the lower 60's to upper 50's, with lows in the upper 20's to 30's.  The girls have been flying in the afternoons when the weather was OK.

When I get home, all I can do is look at them across the yard from the bathroom window.  Anything that needs to be done will have to be done by my girlfriend and she has very little experience and has never opened a hive or lit a smoker herself. I can show her how to light the smoker, but I think she will be very apprehensive going into the hives by herself.

Should I have her make some fondant and put in the hives or put out some sugar and let them open feed on the warmer afternoons?  I want to make sure that they have enough to eat.  I would really hate to loose some hives because I can't get out there to do anything about it.  Unfortunately, I don't know how to get ahold of anyone in the local bee club to help me out.

[iddee]

I would have my friend set a table outside my window. Lay two boards on the table, just far enough apart for a jar lid to sit securely on both. Use jars with holes in the lid, like a boardman feeder jar, and put enough of them out so the bees do not crowd them to get the sugar water. Put the jars out when the temp rises to 45 F., take them in when the temp falls to 45 F. Keep them at room temp. while in the house. Do not refrigerate. You want it warm when it goes out. Then I would sit at the window and enjoy my bees when the weather was right.

PS. Welcome to the forum. Hope the chemo gets the job done.

[Beeracuda]

That is a great idea and very doable!  I will work on that as soon as I get home!!!

[G3farms]

Sorry to hear, Godspeed for a quick healing!!

I sure do like Iddee's thinking to be able to at least watch the bees come and go.

If for some reason you need more help than your Girl Friend can manage, here is a list of Texas bee clubs, not sure which one might be close to you.

Northeast Texas Beekeepers Association
Wills Point TX 75169
Contact:J. B. 'Jim' Lathem
Email: netba1@aol.com
Facebook: Search Northeast Texas Beekeepers Association
Russell Memorial United Methodist Church, Deen Building
2nd Tuesday each month 6:45 pm
Through the sharing of beekeeping we all become better managers of this wonderful insect which pollinates about 1/3 of everything we eat.

Abilene Honey Bee Hobbyists
Contact Erik Kiehle
Tel: 541-221-1144
E-mail: erikkiehle@me.com
Abilene TX 79606
New group, no regular meetings. Call or email to meet for casual chat or coffee.

Central Texas Beekeepers
Contact Name: Michael Kelling
Tel Number: (979) 277-0411
E-mail Address: centraltexasbeekeepers@gmail.com
URL: centraltexasbeekeepers.org
1305 East Blue Bell Road
Brenham TX 77833
Fourth Thursday of each month except November & December at 7 p.m. at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Brenham, Texas. We hold a beekeeping school each spring and had 72 people attend last year.

Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Assn
John J Talbert
Phone: 972-843-8084
E-mail: John2008@northtexasbeekeepers.org
Web Site: northtexasbeekeepers.org
Josephine TX 75164
Second Monday night of each month at the Heard Craig Hall in McKinney, TX

TEXAS BKPRS ASSN
Joan Coplin
17726 Elizabeth Rd
Alvin, TX 77511

EAST TX BKPRS ASSN
Richard Counts
16239 Audrey Lane
Arp, TX 75750
Phone 903-566-6789
Email dickcounts@bigplanet.com
www.easttexasbeekeepersassocitaion.com

CAPITAL AREA HONEY BEE STEWARTS
Carol Malcolm
8913 Georgian Dr
Austin, TX 78753
Phone 512-997-9986
www.main.org/cahbs

Stan Key
Email: stankey.texas@gmail.com
Metro Beekeepers Association
Website: www.metrobeekeepers.net
2nd Monday 6:30pm in the gym
Cana Baptist Church
2309 E Renfro St
Burleson, TX 76028

TRI-CO BKPRS ASSN
Dean Futch
904 Chalk St
Copperas Cove, TX 76522
Phone 254-547-9125

COASTAL BEND BKPRS
Tom Stewart
411 Catalina Place
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
Phone 361-852-4218
Email daletoms@aol.com

RIO GRANDE VALLEY ASSN
Billy Wright
Rt 5 Box 74
Donna, TX 78537
Phone 956-464-5042

HEART OF TX BKPRS ASSN
Butch Trigleth
combowelder76@aol.com
511 Edwards St
Riesel TX 76682
Phone: 252-241-2178

ALAMO AREA BKPRS ASSN
Wendy Riggs
5775 Blackhill Rd.
Floresville, TX 78114-6078
Email beesrcool@yahoo.com

COLLIN CO HOBBY BKPRS
John J Talbert
PO Box 6
Josephine, TX 75164
Phone 972-843-8084
Email jjtalbert@att.net
www.northtexasbeekeepers.org

PINEY WOODS BKPRS ASSOC
Clarence Shepherd
403 Brentwood Dr
Lufkin, TX 75901
Phone 936-639-4207
Fax 936-639-4346
Email bjchs3@conolidated.net

GOLDEN TRIANGLE BKPRS ASSOC
Wallace Commander
6215 April Lane
Lumberton, TX 77657

PERMIAN BASIN ASSOC
Dean Brittingham
2312 N Adams
Odessa, TX 79761

HARRIS CO BKPRS ASSN
Herb Barrier
12318 Thornbriar Dr
Pearland, TX 77581-2027
Phone 281-485-1234
Fax 281-485-3793
www.harriscountybeekeepers.org

FORT BEND CO BKPRS ASSN
Elton Reynolds
3419 Klosterhoff Rd
Rosenberg, TX 77471
Phone 281-342-4388

WILLIAMSON CO BKPRS ASSOC
Jimmie Oakley
1799 Goodson Court
Round Rock, TX 78664
Phone 512-388-3630
Fax 512-272-3000
Email jloakley@juno.com

CONCHO VALLEY ASSC
Travis Lane
6427 Goodland Loop
San Angelo, TX 76901
Phone 325-653-7226

RED RIVER VALLEY ASSN
Bennie J Watson
1952-A Hines Blvd
Wichita Falls, TX 76301-7961
Phone 940-767-0207
Fax 940-767-0207
Email wbennie899@aol.com

[G3farms]

Oh yeah forgot.......Welcome to the forum and try out the chat box at the top.

[blueblood]

Welcome to the forum and I have already lifted up a prayer for healing.  We don't know ya that well yet but I have discovered bee keepers are a unique bunch of folks who have a bond different than many others.  I am sure we will get to know ya pretty quick if you take advantage of this forum and the chat window. 

That was some good info from Iddee and G.  And, G, that was awesome of you do all that leg work for local contacts for him.  As Perry would say, a slice of pie for you.  I will let Perry decide which pie to serve up.

Get well soon cuda. Dave

[Jen]

Beer- I saw your post on Ron's forum. Your going to be just fine my friend! Watching the bees will speed your recovery. They  already know your predicament, and strangly, they know what to do to help you. I am a 15 year survivor from a rare leukemia. Sending you Huge Healing Mojo. Be patient and stay logged in. These are very caring people here. Blessings, Jen

[Jen]

G3- That is an Awesome list you sent Beer. Thank you!

[Beeracuda]

Thanks everyone!

[Perry]

Good to see you here friend. Sound advice from Iddee. I was worried at first glance at the post, but then I quickly saw you're in Texas so realized it could play out easier than first thought.
Rest assured you are in the thoughts and best wishes of all here on this forum. Take care, the bees can usually take care of themselves for a while, they've been at it for millions of years. 

[apisbees]

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. An out of town Job I was working got extender for 2 1/2 weeks and so the wife had to put on the bee suit and feed for me at the time i had over 30 colonies, She wasn't to thrilled with the idea or sure of herself but she did fine. It was the first and last time she went into the hives though.

[riverbee]

my thoughts, prayers and well wishes go out to you beercuda.

i understand about not being able to work hives and i can only look at mine from a distance as well. (allergy)  i had only one experienced keep who could help out, but very infrequently.  mr rb was quickly thrown into keeping bees, and it has been difficult. for the most part my hives have been untouched since last summer, except for tasks that he could get in there and do and feel comfortable doing them without being overwhelmed by lack of knowledge. like perry said, the bees, left untouched, for the most part, take care of themselves pretty well for an extended period of time.
i actually considered putting some sort of cam on his veil....lol, we would also use 2 way radios so he could ask me questions while i would watch from a distance......lol.....anyway encourage your girlfriend if you can to get some feed in there or take iddee's advice on the feed.  anyone in a club  near you that g3 posted, would most likely have someone happy to help you.  that's the thing about beekeepers, we are always willing to pitch in and help another out. have done so many times myself.

please keep us posted on your progress !

[Jen]

I have gone to the extent of taking pics of each frame that I had a concern with, then posted the pics on another forum I was on. Really helped...

[LazyBkpr]

Man.. thats a fantastic Idea Iddee...  Sometimes you surprise me how smart you are!!!

   Beeracuda... More thoughts and prayers from this Beek as well. Keep up the good fight, and keep in touch!   Most of us northerners are well versed in not being able to get into the hives for months at a time, so we can talk up a storm while we try to compensate!!!

[riverbee]

beeracuda.....

just wondering how you are doing?

[Marty68]

Welcome beer and hope you have a speedy recovery

[efmesch]

Welcome Beeracuda.   Just remember, as important as your bees may be, don't do anything with them if it's at the expense of your recovery.  I join with the other forum members in praying for a complete and speedy recovery. 

[Beeracuda]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  I finally got home Sunday after spending almost an entire month in the hospital.  I am feeling really well.  I am working to build my strength up and doing better each day.

That being said, the weather here is looking nice.  I have been going out to see the girls each day for a little while.  It is supposed to be 70* on Sunday.  Maybe I can sneak a peek into one of the hives then.  I have one that I have been seeing more drones than what I think is normal coming and going.  I sure hope I don't have a laying worker hive now.  That one was my strongest hive.

[Perry]

Good to see you posting again Beer. Just take it easy, don't overdo it.

[Walt B]

Glad you're feeling better.

Walt