Feeding
I thought I'd try out Blogger's new image upload option. This is our set-up for feeding pollen substitute. Note the bungie cord to keep the coffee can from rolling or blowing away. It's not pretty but the bees seem to like it. 
posted by Lynn at 3:48 PM
5 Comments:
Hi!
I saw your blog listed on Blog Oklahoma. I see your picture with the "pollen substitute". That is very interesting! I figured bees had to live near flowers to get the pollen. I learned something new today
Thank you
X
http://spaces.msn.com/X-Evolutionist
They do prefer getting pollen and nectar from flowers. They lose interest in the pollen substitute when ever the trees and flowers start to bud. However we give them what we can to help get them through the winter. On warm days during the winter they like to get out and are quick to find the sugar syrup and pollen substitute we put out for them.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
How fast do the bees consume the sugar syrup ?
How long can they survive with only the sugar syrup (without pollen & nectar from flowers)?
Q: “How fast do the bees consume the sugar syrup ?”
Q: How long can they survive with only the sugar syrup (without pollen & nectar from flowers)?”
Those are a couple of good questions and the answers depend on several things. How many bees are in the hive, what is the temperature? How much honey and pollen do they have stored in the hive?
If it is very cold and the bee do not have to move very far to get to their own supplies. They will stay together in a cluster and not take any syrup. However if it is real warm like it has been here in Oklahoma lately. They will take all the syrup they can and start storing it in the hive. I have 2-quart feeders and it is taking my bees several days to 2 weeks to empty them.
They can survive all winter with out sugar syrup. If they have enough honey and pollen in the hive already and in theory they should. They sometimes starve in the winter with honey only 2 inches away. Due to the cluster being too small, ill or a very cold winter.
However beekeepers are aware of these things and try to help their hives out by feeding them. Maybe one of the other keeps can also help answer your questions.
Post a Comment
<< Home