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jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:37 am Post subject: Bee question
I'm going to get my bees this evening So I think I know what I need to do, but when I hive them I will need to put on a feeder of syrup. I make this by weighing the sugar (say 2kg) and adding half that weight of water (so 1litre). Does the water need to be boiling? Shall I sterilise the container?

Mrs Fiddlesticks

Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:46 am Post subject:

clean bucket seems fine here. We use a lb of sugar to 1 pint of water at the mo but our colonies were divided and set as new ones a couple of months ago and have had time to forage a little and build up. I'm guessing you're doing the autumn strength feed to build up a new nuc for the winter?

I do put some warm water in to help it dissolve but haven't done boiling.

To avoid wasp trouble only feed in evening or early morning and mop up any spilages again to avoid wasp problems particularly if you have as many around as we have at the mo

What sort of feeder are you using?

Congratulations though - a new beekeeper!!

sally_in_wales
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Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:48 am Post subject:
oh thats very exciting, new bees are wonderful

jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:56 am Post subject:
I've got a frame feeder. I've got a full nucleus box to collect from the apiary. Is a pound to a pint weaker than 2:1?

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:56 am Post subject:

I use 2lb Sugar to 1 pint Boiling Water or in metric 2kg to 1L - Which is what you are suggesting - so that should be fine - Feeding at this strength means the colony has less work to do as its nearer the concentration that they store it at

I always use boiling water as its simply easier to dissolve the sugar that way - Very exciting isn't it - I'm going down to look at my girls later and decide whether to take the supers off for spinning - I haven't looked at them since before they were re-united but having watched the entrance - there appears to be lots of pollen going in there

jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 8:58 am Post subject:
Cross posted there Jo, you answered my question. I wonder how quickly they will get through a frame feeders worth.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 9:00 am Post subject:

jocorless wrote:

There was some full super frames up at the apiary yesterday - you wouldn't think they could weigh so much!

Take photos of the honey extraction bit Jo. I'd like to see how that works. Do you borrow an extractor from your apiary?

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 9:04 am Post subject:

I wouldn't be feeding 1:1 at this time of year - your girls are going to need all the help they can get to build up enough to get through winter - Stick to 2:1

I use a Rapid Feeder and I also have a Miller Feeder - simply cos you can refill at night without having to go into the hive itself - you may find that easier once they have been hived - Frame feeders are very good for nuc's but can be problematic when you want to give them alot of sugar especially as it gets cooler in the evenings - You don't want to be opening them up at night-time and chilling the brood

Our branch is buying Ambrosia Invert Syrup in bulk this year for Winter and Spring feeding - Ambrosia is 80% ready inverted sugars and more concentrated than sugar syrup. It will also keep until next year if not all used up and won't ferment - Apparently the bee's do very well on it

alison
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Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 9:06 am Post subject:
I would do the same mix that Julie said, a medium syrup, as it is the easiest for the bees to digest, and they can get on with drawing out comb.

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 9:09 am Post subject:

I have some extraction photos from last year on my Flickr account - https://flickr.com/photos/amethystdragon/sets/72157600426132767/

We ended up having to do it in the dining room (you can see my horrible carpet!) and covering everything with plastic as we simply don't have enough room in our kitchen!

We borrow the extractor from the club although its a solid one - its seen better days and has a habit of being rather temperamental

Tavascarow

Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 10:32 am Post subject:

Feeding weak sugar solution 1/1 or 1lb to a pint of water is fine for spring/summer feeding.
For autumn/winter feed 2/1 is recommended, the weaker syrup takes too long for the bees to evaporate down to storage levels & there is a risk it may be stored with to much water & ferment in the frames which can cause intestinal problems for the bees & possible mould growth.
To make 2/1 I put the water in a preserving pan, add the sugar & heat & stir until it has all dissolved.1/1 will dissolve in cold water.
Frame feeders are fine but as as already said means opening the hive every 2 or 3 days to refill, I use these.
https://secure.thorne.co.uk/popup/health7.htm
Don't like the rapid feeders (The buckets with a gauze in the lid which you invert over the feed hole) feed can sometimes run out over the frames & out the hive entrance encouraging robbing.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 10:44 am Post subject:
We have an extractor and a ripener that we would be happy to lend out, transport being the issue, obviously.

joanne

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7100
Location: Morecambe, Lancashire

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 10:47 am Post subject:

TAVASCAROW wrote:

I use these.
https://secure.thorne.co.uk/popup/health7.htm
Don't like the rapid feeders (The buckets with a gauze in the lid which you invert over the feed hole) feed can sometimes run out over the frames & out the hive entrance encouraging robbing.

Those are what I meant by Rapid feeders - I thought they were the only sort

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 10:49 am Post subject:
Our bee inspector said that rather than pay out for feeders, he often uses old jam buckets, etc. with some small holes punched in the lid. The air pressure keeps the syrup in in the same way that it does with the gauze-lidded buckets you buy.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 08 11:25 am Post subject:
Really dumb question now. If you use rapid feeders or the jam jar types then do you have to leave the hive lid off? They sit over the hole in the crown board don't they?

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