Before you start feeding your bees sugar syrup, you should first check their stores. Once they have enough nectar to last for a few weeks, you should begin feeding them syrup. However, you must make sure that the syrup you are giving them is ripe and at a moisture content of around 18%. Otherwise, it will have a negative effect on the bees’ health. You should also feed them syrup before the weather turns cold so that they have enough time to process the syrup.
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Beware of robbers
Beekeepers should be aware that feeding their hives can increase the risk of robbers. However, the kind of feeder you use can make a big difference. Bees are naturally attracted to sugar water, so supplementing it can make your hives more appealing to robbers. Beekeepers should avoid adding sugar to their feeders during times of dearth.
Robber bees will choose a weaker hive or one that is not guarded. A healthy hive has a laying queen and is well adapted to the area in which it has to defend itself. Beekeepers should avoid opening their hives too often and too soon, since these activities trigger robber behavior.
Minimize bee deaths on sugar syrup
Sugar syrup is a nutritious source of energy for bees. However, they need a more substantial energy source for the winter months. Bees do not choose a low-carb diet, so they need a reliable source of sugar. For the best results, make sure you mix white sugar with hot water. The sugar solution should not be boiled, as the temperature will change the chemical composition and make it indigestible for bees.
To minimize bee deaths caused by sugar syrup, you can use an empty plastic super with risers to provide bees with space between the top bars of the frames and the holes in the container lid. Put the baggie on top of the frames, and tie it with an elastic band. Puncturing holes in the plastic freezer bag using a brad or small nail is another way to minimize bee deaths. Bees will drink the sugar syrup from the holes if they are able to reach them.
Cost of baggie feeders
The cost of baggie feeders for bees is fairly high. Beekeepers must make room in their hive for these containers. The containers need to be stored for most of the year. While a small scale beekeeper can use empty buckets to store their feeders, commercial beekeepers need to invest in large storage bins to accommodate hundreds of feeders. These bins can be moved by forklift easily.
Entrance feeders are another option. These containers weigh about a pound, and are small enough to allow the beekeeper to check resource levels without disturbing the bees. They can also be used as an alternative to a glass jar at the entrance of the hive. The entrance feeder is also easy to install. These containers are not recommended for feeding during colder seasons, though.
Storage of baggie feeders
If you are starting a new beekeeping venture, you may want to consider a baggie feeder. These small feeders are made of food-grade zip-top bags and can be placed on top of a hive or outside the hive. To use the baggie feeder, simply cut two slits in the top of the bag, about 4 inches long, parallel to the entrance of the hive. To store the feeder properly, use an empty super around it and keep the baggie feeder out of reach of other insects.
The top part of the container must be elevated to allow the bees to access the syrup. In order to avoid the syrup from spilling onto the entrance feeder, you can place a candy board or other wooden object on top of the feeder. The candy board or other object can be used to keep the baggie feeders in place.
Using a baggie feeder to feed bees
When feeding bees with baggie feeders, you should keep a few things in mind. For starters, you must ensure that the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, otherwise the bees will not venture outside to collect their food. You should also fill the baggie at least 3/4 full, but do not overfill it. If it is too full, it will spill out as the bees drink it. Also, make sure to place a queen excluder on the baggie.
Using a baggie feeder is easy to do and can be done in a number of ways. For example, you can fill the baggie with six pints of sugar syrup, placing it about an inch back from the front and about 18 inches away from the back of the hive. You should then cut slits in the baggie, keeping the slits short. The slits should be small enough for the bees to enter the sugar syrup, but not so long that they cannot escape.
