The fall is a great time to inspect your beehive. There are many things to look for. You will need to check for nectar, pollen, and syrup. This will help to prevent robbing.
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Nectar
There are three ways to feed autumn bees to provide them with nectar for their winter stores. These include feeding syrup, pollen patties, and honey.
Bees need a lot of food to survive. A large colony needs about 700 pounds of food each year. In addition, they can starve if there is a shortage of nectar. So, beekeepers can help to prevent this from happening by feeding their colonies.
During nectar dearth, bees have a harder time surviving and may start to rob each other. Robbing is not a good situation. If a hive is robbed, it will end up losing its honey and will weaken its population.
The best way to avoid robbing is to feed the bees in autumn. You can also use a nectar supplement over the winter.
Syrup
There are several types of syrup used by beekeepers, from light to heavy. Regardless of what kind of syrup is used, it is important to follow certain guidelines to make sure it is beneficial to the bees.
In the fall, the bees are in need of food. This can be in the form of sugar syrup. It is not a substitute for nectar, but a feed that provides the bees with nutrients. The amount you give them will depend on the size of the colony and the size of the container.
Fall feeding is necessary to ensure the bees survive winter. Sugar syrup is also useful during this time to supplement honey stores. For this purpose, you will need a large bucket and three bags of sugar. Mix the water with the sugar until all the sugar is dissolved.
Pollen
Providing pollen for autumn bee feeding is an effective method to promote longevity and reproduction of bee colonies. However, the type of pollen to provide depends on local climate, plant sources and size of the colony.
Pollen nutrition is vital for honey bees. The nutritional content of pollen has been linked to the productivity and health of bee colonies.
Pollen is an important source of food for young bees and developing larval bees. But it is not an edible food for adult bees.
Beekeepers who feed their colonies extra pollen in the fall may be compromising their bees’ health. This could lead to swarming later.
Feeding supplementary pollen in autumn is recommended only when the natural pollen source in your area is depleted or when bees need a boost in their stores. Avoid overfeeding during the winter months to avoid a weakened colony.
Inspecting your hive in the fall
Hive inspection is a must, as it is an opportunity to assess the health of your hive. There are a few simple steps you can follow to perform an effective hive inspection.
Before starting, be sure to prepare your equipment. It’s not only important to have the correct tools, but also to wear protective gear. This will help keep you from harming the bees.
First, inspect the bottom board. If the bees have drawn comb, then you can expect to find eggs and brood. You should also look for signs of infestation.
The next step is to inspect the frames. Make note of what you’ve seen. These frames should have proper space for bees to move around. They should be in the right orientation.
The frame holder is a handy tool to have on hand. Use it to protect the removed frame while you inspect it. Using the holder will make it easier for you to manipulate the frames.
Preventing robbing
When you are feeding autumn bees, preventing robbing is critical. Robber bees can attack the hive and can even kill the colony. It is best to avoid robbing by following the tips below.
The most common time for robbing to occur is during the fall. But it can happen any time of the year. If you notice a robber in your hive, you should act right away.
A robber will begin to investigate your hive by zigzagging back and forth in about four inch movements. This means that they will look in every possible spot to try to enter the hive. You may also hear buzzing around the back of the hive as robber bees try to get inside.
One way to prevent robbing is to create a robbing screen. These screens help confuse robbers.
