Author Topic: First check this year (Read 24933 times)

Marbees · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:22:48 pm »

No rules in beekeeping, had three deeps strong hives low mite count, full of honey dead by January, and write offs in a single deep surviving.

Jen · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:28:36 pm »

I would be devestated if my one hive bit the dust.

If we have to eat beans to keep them fed... then so bee it! Done it before can do it agian

Jen · « **Reply #22 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:31:39 pm »

Papa ""I had feed on all of these hives. They never got (or went) to it.""

That's tough, so sorry....

Lburou · « **Reply #23 on:** February 02, 2014, 11:11:16 pm »

Quote from: iddee on February 02, 2014, 02:33:50 pm

....snip...Maples starting to bloom and fresh pollen and nectar in all hives. Couldn't ask for any better.

What is your growing zone there iddee?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2014, 08:52:32 am »

I have had that happen. The bees that did that to me were the southern packages I had.. They had plenty of reserve to go to, but for some reason, just DIDNT go to it.. Last winter was no where near as ugly as this winter, with regular breaks in the cold, but those bees hunkered down RIGHT where they were and thats where they stayed till death do us part.

iddee · « **Reply #25 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:34:53 am »

Lee, I'm on the border of 7 and 8.

Jen · « **Reply #26 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:10:11 pm »

Lazy- ""Last winter was no where near as ugly as this winter, with regular breaks in the cold, but those bees hunkered down RIGHT where they were and thats where they stayed till death do us part.""

This situation is definately curious about beekeeping. It's the first winter that I have observed this behavior as well. It has taught me to keep winter patties on hand in the freezer for next year. But even that.... shrug

efmesch · « **Reply #27 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:20:56 pm »

Quote from: Jen on February 02, 2014, 10:28:36 pm

I would be devestated if my one hive bit the dust.

That's why beekeepers should never go below having two hives. Lose one of one and you're a goner, lose one of two and you snap back by splitting.
Except for someone who wants to find out if beekeeping is for her/him, no beekeeper should have less than two hives minimum.

Jacobs · « **Reply #28 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:59:15 pm »

The ones I have been losing to "cold starving" were small clusters going into fall and winter, but of a size that would normally survive our winters. We have had 2 very bitter cold snaps, colder temperatures than we have had since the early 1980's. In each hive I have lost, the queen had begun brooding up some. The cluster was too small to cover the brood and cover the ample stores nearby. The bees would not leave the brood and appear to have starved in place. A little bit larger cluster would have reached honey and covered the brood. A normal winter temperature would have allowed for internal hive food shifting. I'm looking forward to spring.

apisbees · « **Reply #29 on:** February 03, 2014, 02:50:30 pm »

Jacob brings up a good point if the bees have a small section of brood that they are raising they will not abandon it to move to available honey stores.
Jen if you are hitting temps of 50 deg it is warm enough for the bees to take syrup especially if it is over the cluster.

Jen · « **Reply #30 on:** February 03, 2014, 05:03:08 pm »

Apis- not hitting those temps yet on a regular basis. Regular temps of 40 now. But winter isn't over here yet. Thanks for that tip

apisbees · « **Reply #31 on:** February 03, 2014, 06:02:34 pm »

Jen as long as it is warm enough for the bees to break cluster and fly, and with the bees bringing in pollen it is warm enough to feed syrup. With the feeder over the cluster the heat generated by the bees will keep the syrup warm for their consumption. The bees will cluster at night and may not take the syrup but as the temp rises they will continue to take the syrup. In the spring we don't necessarily want them to store the syrup but to have if available for them as a food source and to stimulate brood production.
When we would get packages we would feed syrup on top and a lot of nights we would get frost on the ground the bees will use the syrup when it is warm.
I'm 3 weeks behind you and I will be throwing syrup and pollen patties on the hives before the end of February.

Jen · « **Reply #32 on:** February 03, 2014, 09:53:13 pm »

Apis- I remember LazyBkpr saying how he does this as well.

I'm on the second winter pattie now. The first one disappeared, paper and all, in less than two weeks. Do I still need to feed syrup? And, would that be in a quart jar over the inner cover with a super and a lid over it?

iddee · « **Reply #33 on:** February 03, 2014, 10:03:31 pm »

I'm not Apis, but yes and yes.

It needs to be 55 F. or more for them to take it. The outside temp is somewhat irrelevant, as long as the sugar water is 55 or higher. You may have to change it out when it cools and put warmer jars in. Then warm what you remove and put it back when the other one cools.

Jen · « **Reply #34 on:** February 04, 2014, 02:40:41 pm »

Iddee- then winter patties are not enough?

iddee · « **Reply #35 on:** February 04, 2014, 03:15:07 pm »

Are they as cheap as sugar? Sugar is sufficient, so I would go the cheaper way. I have no idea what winter patties cost or contain.

Barbarian · « **Reply #36 on:** February 04, 2014, 03:41:21 pm »

Cold starvation is sometimes called "Isolation Starvation" in the UK.

I have heard the suggestion that before winter all the frames of stores should go on one side of the cluster. The cluster then only moves in one direction. Has anyone tried it ?

Jen · « **Reply #37 on:** February 04, 2014, 03:51:44 pm »

Iddee, winter patties are a carbohydrate and protein for the bees, more nutrition. In my opinion it's better for them than just plain sugar. Yes, they are more costly, but I have only one hive so I can afford it, and will soon be making my own. However, I think my plan will be to use sugar syrup when the bees are active and flying, then remove the syrup and put on winter patties when the weather gets too chilly for syrup.

iddee · « **Reply #38 on:** February 04, 2014, 03:56:45 pm »

Your plan is good, but your thoughts are a bit off. Larva need carbs. and protein. Adults need only carbs. The only proteins adults eat are to make royal jelly and bee bread for the larva.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #39 on:** February 04, 2014, 04:13:52 pm »

Jen;
Syrup gives them moisture as well.. IIRC you said they were going after the water pretty heavily?
As long as they can get to water, OR there is minor condensation in the hive they will do splendidly with the patties.
Warmer temps will mean less condensation on the walls for them to harvest, so more flights to collect it.

A couple of points...
As I learned it.. sugar, patties, syrup, are to keep your bees alive until they can get pollen and nectar, IF they are out of honey in the hive. Giving them more than sugar may cause them to rear brood, and consume stores even faster. I know little about patties, I have never used them. So I cant say if thats a good or bad thing. The Protein etc is for baby bees, not the adults.
When daytime temps are warm enough that the bees begiun flying, I put syrup out when I do morning chores, and take it back in the house when I do evening chores. This keeps it warm enough for the bees to fight over. I also begin putting pollen and pollen sub out for them. My goal in so doing is to cause them to begin brooding so they are big and strong when i want to do early splits.
SO; if your just trying to maintain the bees, and they have been looking for water a lot, I would put out syrup nearby, or on the hive if you have a hive top feeder. Putting it on the porch so you can sit and watch them is my preferred method.
Bah.. Iddee beat me to it.

If your bees are already bringing in pollen, they wont be lacking for anything if you put syrup out for them, and it may help them with their need for moisture.