If you’re new to beekeeping, it can be difficult to decide what to feed your new colony. You may not have much experience to go by, and you may not have any recommendations to base your decision on. However, new colonies need all the help they can get. They’re more likely to be successful if they start on pre-drawn frames, which will make weaning the colony a little easier. You can feed new colonies sugar syrup or pollen substitute to help them get started.
Adding a honey super to a new hive
Adding a honey super to a newly built hive will add extra storage space to the hive. Honey supers are shallower than brood boxes. When adding a new super, it’s best to place it above the brood box and use waxed frames to support it. The new super should also have a hive mat and lid. You can also place frames with drawn comb into the honey super to speed up the process of storing honey.
If you’re adding a honey super to a new bumblebee hive, it’s important to start the new box before the existing frames are full. It’s also important to remember that the queen will need room to lay eggs and move about. As soon as the brood boxes are full, the bees will move on to the honey super.
It’s important to place the new super before the first honey flow of the spring. This will prevent the hive from being weakened by swarming. In Northwest Arkansas, this usually happens around mid April. But, it’s not impossible to place a super before that. It’s important to check the weather for an appropriate time. In the Ozarks, redbud trees are a good indicator for early super placement.
If you’re unsure of whether to add a honey super to a new comb hive, it’s best to consult local beekeepers. They’ll be able to give you some advice about the best brood box size for your colony.
Feeding bees in “bad” years
When a beekeeper is having a bad year and the honey yield is low, they may consider feeding the bees. Beekeepers generally place the food in a feeder inside the hive. They feed only the bees in the hive, and they feed them at night when the bees are resting. It is important to use caution when feeding bees, though.
Feeding is not a replacement for a healthy colony. If you choose to feed your bees in “bad” years, do it sparingly and only if it’s a last resort. It doesn’t fix the underlying problems, and you might end up with a weaker colony.
The late fall season is a difficult time for beekeepers. They need to build comb, and sugar syrup is an excellent way to make this happen. However, some beekeepers draw the line at feeding their hives with syrup. It is a personal decision, and everyone has their own method of feeding bees.
Sugar water is also not a good choice for bees. It can make them sick or even kill them. It is best to keep sugar water in a pure state and give it to your hives only when the bees need it.
Feeding bees in the early spring
It’s important to feed your bees early in the spring, before the nectar flow has started. This will keep the colony’s honey supply from being depleted. If you can, feed them with sugar water. This will allow them to gain weight quickly.
In the early spring, you should also check your bee’s food stores. It is common for bees to starve because they lack food. You may need to supplement the hive with extra food. One method is known as the Mountain Camp Sugar Method. Feeding the bees in this way helps them to build quickly and efficiently.
Feeding new bees in the spring is important for two reasons. First, it stimulates the production of brood and increases the population of the colony. Second, feeding your bees stimulates the production of honey. Honeybees continue to make honey as long as there is a supply and sufficient storage space. The winter season is the toughest time for a colony and may result in them running out of food. In addition to monitoring your early-spring food stores, you should also monitor the weather conditions.
In the early spring, you should provide your honeybees with high-protein supplements that contain the essential nutrients they need. There are several homemade recipes that contain sugar, brewer’s yeast, soy flour, and essential oils. If you do not have time to make homemade syrups, you can purchase high-protein supplements that are already mixed with the correct ingredients. This will eliminate the guesswork and frustration associated with choosing which ingredients to use.
