Volume 2 -------------------- January 28, 2011 --------------------Number 10
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What To Do With Bees Coming Out Of Winter: Part VI
When & How To Feed
by David Burns, EAS certified Master Beekeeper
It's important for beekeepers to be well prepared to properly manage hives that have survived the winter. In our last installment we looked
at when to replace the queen. Today we are looking at how to best feed bees in late winter and early spring. Use this acronym to help
you remember how to prepare:
Stimulate For Rapid Foraging Force
Prevent Swarms
Rotate Hive Bodies
Inspect The Productivity Of The Queen
New Queen
Give 1:1 Sugar Water & Pollen Patties
Beekeepers celebrate when they see that their hive survived the winter. However, to make this overwintered colony as productive and healthy as
possible, the queen may need to be replaced.
Beekeepers celebrate when they see that their hive survived the winter. However, to make this overwintered colony as productive and healthy as
possible, providing proper nutrition is essential.
This is the time of the year when bees start running out of stored honey if they haven't already. To help them not die from starvation, it's
important to feed bees. When bees die with their heads stuck in cells, they starved. If they haven't died yet, there are many ways to feed
your bees during late winter and early spring. All feeding methods have some pros and cons so these are my experiences and opinions.
For those of us in the mid to northern part of the US we need to check our bees to be sure they still have stored honey. Here in Illinois,
we have a long way to go, probably 6-8 more weeks.
Pollen patties are a good source of protein for the bees. These can be purchased or can be made from a dry powder mix. Also, if the
bees are short on honey an easy solution is to feed solid sugar. I do this by placing a candy board with a pollen patty embedded in the
candy. Once the bees are able to fly more, a sandwich bag of sugar water on the top frames just above the cluster works well. I poke a
few holes on the top side of the bag and the bees figure out how to draw out the sugar water. Another method is to use a jar placed on
top of the inner cover just above the cluster over the oval shaped hole. Then place an empty deep hive body to surround the jar and then
place the top cover on this deep hive body. Place a heavy rock or block on top to hold everything tight. It is best not to feed liquid sugar
until the bees can fly to defecate.
Fondant is a good winter and early spring feeding method. Here is a recipe a fellow beekeeper gave me: 5 cups of water, 15 pounds of
sugar, 3 cups of Karo light corn syrup. Bring water to a boil and put in sugar. When all the sugar is dissolved add corn syrup and bring
temp up to a soft boil or 252 degrees (F). Then pour into aluminum pie pans. When set, put fondant on a sheet of wax paper above bees.
Cut slits in wax paper so bees can get at the feed.
Other recipes can be found at: www.perfect-wedding-day.com/fondant-recipe-2.htm
Some top feeders may work well as the temperature continues to warm up. But feed your bees! Your bees have survived the worst winter
conditions. Do not let them die now that winter is almost over. Candy boards are an excellent choice for late winter. To purchase candy
boards go to: www.honeybeesonline.com/candyboard.html
...in our next article Dead Bees In The Snow
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IN THE NEWS....
National Guard Trained To Teach Afghan Woman To Make A Living Keeping Honey Bees... Read more
Gilles Ratia, of France, President of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations
has traveled the last seven years on his motorcycle visiting beekeepers...Read more
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Package Bees & Nucs For Sale Now From Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
Give us a call at: 217-427-2678 to get yours while they last!
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Look At Our Next Beekeeping Classes:
February 4th 6pm - 8pm How To Make Cream Honey CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
March 4th (Friday night 6-8pm Pest & Diseases: Diagnosis & Prevention CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
March 19th (Saturday) Basic Beekeeping 9am - 3pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
May 14th (Saturday) QUEEN REARING COURSE 9am - 3pm CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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Ask your friends to sign up for this newsletter FREE
at http://www.honeybeesonline.com/ez.html
BEE SMART is free and comes right to your email inbox. We'll be relying on you
telling your friends about BEE SMART and passing it along to others.
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Bee Smart is a publication of
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
14556 N 1020 E Rd
Fairmount, IL 61841
(217) 427-2678
www.honeybeesonline.com
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms is here to serve the beekeeping community with beekeeping equipment, 3 lb packages, nucs, queens and more.
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