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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: annette on August 06, 2008, 10:56:49 pm

Title: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: annette on August 06, 2008, 10:56:49 pm
You know I have to share all my experiences with you dear people, whether good or bad. Well, whenever I feed the bees I have been using the baggie feeder and it has always worked out great with not even one drowned bee.

Well, not sure what happened this time, perhaps I put a little to much syrup inside the ziplock bag, but when I went to remove the empty ziplock bag, I found hundreds of bees drowned inside the ziplock bag. I felt very bad.

So next time I will be careful and not fill up the ziplock bag to much. Hopefully, this was the problem. Anyone else have any experience like this??

Annette
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: Brian D. Bray on August 07, 2008, 12:41:37 am
You know I have to share all my experiences with you dear people, whether good or bad. Well, whenever I feed the bees I have been using the baggie feeder and it has always worked out great with not even one drowned bee.

Well, not sure what happened this time, perhaps I put a little to much syrup inside the ziplock bag, but when I went to remove the empty ziplock bag, I found hundreds of bees drowned inside the ziplock bag. I felt very bad.

What size of slits in the baggie did you use, sounds to me as if the slits were too long and/or too close together so the weight of the bees on the baggie plopped them into the syrup.  Use short slits at least 1/2 inch apart and only 3 or 4.

Quote
So next time I will be careful and not fill up the ziplock bag to much. Hopefully, this was the problem. Anyone else have any experience like this??

Annette

Over full baggies will make the syrup run from the baggie when it is split because of the tension produced by the volume of syrup.
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: NWIN Beekeeper on August 07, 2008, 04:28:38 am
[...sounds to me as if the slits were too long and/or too close together...]

Ditto. I agree.
Smaller slits should relieve the situation.

Another thought is that you could add a paper towl into the bag - this would inhibit them from entering the bag but would allow syrup to wick its way out.

-Jeff
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: BeeHopper on August 07, 2008, 06:05:16 am
Annette,

I agree 100% with Brian and NWIN Beekeeper, I have peace of mind using the Double Zip freezer bags and cut (2) 1/2 inch slits, never lost a bee to drowning.  :)
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: poka-bee on August 07, 2008, 12:55:57 pm
Annette I agree with everyone else, the slits were probably too big & close together.  My first couple of times I did the same thing & had some drowned bees, not that many though & when I changed only a couple every few feeds.  When in a hurry I tend to make the slits too big.  Jody
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: jimmy on August 07, 2008, 02:19:58 pm
I have some sugar water left over from spring . I read some where I could add a little bleach ,that would revive the water or pureify.
Any comments?
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: annette on August 07, 2008, 03:35:22 pm
OK you all hit the nail on the head. My slits were very long (guess I was lucky until now) and close together. For now on, short slits (1/2inch) and not close together.

I am so glad I posted this, as I just assumed I had placed to much syrup into the baggie. Now I know better.

Love and Kisses to you all, you who save me from harming the bees.

Annette
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: EasternShore on August 07, 2008, 04:49:07 pm
Annette, Have you concidered the 2 gal bucket feeders from BetterBee? I find them easy to use. Only drawback is you have to lift the entire bucket if your checking hive bodies. I sit mine on the inner cover with a deep around it and the vent cover over that.

Really sorry for your loss, I almost lost a queen due to a careless state inspector, and my own lack of knowledge.
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: annette on August 07, 2008, 04:53:00 pm
Annette, Have you concidered the 2 gal bucket feeders from BetterBee? I find them easy to use. Only drawback is you have to lift the entire bucket if your checking hive bodies. I sit mine on the inner cover with a deep around it and the vent cover over that.

Really sorry for your loss, I almost lost a queen due to a careless state inspector, and my own lack of knowledge.

Thanks for the concern. Everything is fine with the hive now. I now use my Mann Lake top feeder for larger feedings and I am very happy with this feeder. I just use the baggies for short and small feeding here and there.

Take care
Annette
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: Zane on August 08, 2008, 09:18:40 pm
Hey Annette,
Sounds like you got it under control. Just an fyi when you go back to baggies. Leave an air bubble in it and when you lay it on the top of the inner board(or whatever) try to cut the slits in the air bubble. I use a razor blade so it wont drag on the plastic. Use little slits 1/2' or so. I've never had bees in my baggies.
I'm feeding mine bigtime right now also. I have some robbing trying to get done but have robbers screens on. They are still harrassing the screened bottom board so I got some menthol to put around the entrance ouside of the robber screen and will close up the bottom for a few days. They sure want in!!!
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: buzzbee on August 08, 2008, 10:12:18 pm
I have some sugar water left over from spring . I read some where I could add a little bleach ,that would revive the water or pureify.
Any comments?
If the sugar water is spoiled,for what little it costs,pitch it and serve new!!Why risk it.It may have fermented ,rendering it unsuitable.
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: eri on August 09, 2008, 12:04:38 am
Why is fermented sugar syrup unsuitable?
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: rdy-b on August 09, 2008, 12:39:21 am
may lead to desintary -weaken your bees -not good  :) RDY-B
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: annette on August 09, 2008, 02:45:06 pm
Hey Annette,
Sounds like you got it under control. Just an fyi when you go back to baggies. Leave an air bubble in it and when you lay it on the top of the inner board(or whatever) try to cut the slits in the air bubble. I use a razor blade so it wont drag on the plastic. Use little slits 1/2' or so. I've never had bees in my baggies.
I'm feeding mine bigtime right now also. I have some robbing trying to get done but have robbers screens on. They are still harrassing the screened bottom board so I got some menthol to put around the entrance ouside of the robber screen and will close up the bottom for a few days. They sure want in!!!

Thanks for that information about the air bubble. Previously I had read somewhere that I should push all the air out, but I never did and that is probably why they never drowned before. Yes the air bubble is good and with small slits cut in the air bubble. I really appreciate all this information. It just shows that nothing is to small to ask.

Another question, I have been placing this baggie feeder directly on top of the top super. Would it be better to just place it on top of an inner cover?? I always feel like I am smoothering them meaning cutting off the air circulation, when I place it directly on top of the super. I think I will try this next time.

Annette
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: Cindi on August 09, 2008, 03:54:09 pm
Annette, I am sorry about your loss of those bees, there are so many lessons in life that we have to learn the ding dang hard way.  I am one of the biggest learners of these hard life lessons, I always wonder when I will graduate from that school of hard knocks, I don't think ever, hee, hee,  ;) :) :).  I have used two methods of feeding with the baggie feeders, you will see by the pictures.  In both scenarios I have used a "shim", one shim you will see is the small one and the other is just a deep super, both work well.  My Husband has made those two inch shims for all my colonies now (me lucky woman, hee, hee, he always makes things for me).  He shakes his head when I don't use some of the things, like when he made all the screened bottom boards for me, now I have gone back to solid bottom boards.  I will always keep the screened bottom boards and may go back to them one day, or not, who knows.  Eeeks, off track here, sorry girl.....that be me.

When I place the baggie on top of the inner cover, there is a hole that has a plug, I open that hole a little bit and the bees come up and eat.

When I feed this fall I am going to be using 2 gallon pails, that seems the easiest way to deliver a continuous supply of a large amount of sugar syrup, without having to check the baggie feeders every couple of days.  I will begin to feed the bees around the middle of September.  Our flow should still be going strong then, so they may not even require feeding.  The baggie feeders are wonderful, they have their place and time, certainly.  We have had a massive flow this summer, lots and lots of sunshine, a day or two of rain, and then more sunshine.  I anticipate a massive amount of honey, for the first time ever with my bees, yeah!!!!  I hope my aspirations come to pass.  Eeks, off topic again, sorry.....have that most beautiful and wonderful day,  Cindi

(http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4886/baggiefeederzo2.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

(http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4342/baggiefeederdrawquiltwv0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: annette on August 09, 2008, 11:49:47 pm
Yes Cindi

I have a shim from Brush Mt that I place on the super when feeding with the baggie ziplock. So it looks like you do it both ways. Placing directly on top of the super, and placing onto an inner cover.  Guess both ways work well for you.

I am so happy to hear your hives are doing well and you will finally reap the rewards for all your hard work. Congratulations and enjoy every minute of eating that wonderful honey. This was a bummer year for me with the bees, but I did learn so much and so far they are still alilve. I will continue to do whatever is necessary to help them.

Take care and love
Annette
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: BeeHopper on August 10, 2008, 10:23:23 am
Cindi,

Why are the TOP BARS white  :?

Just Curious like a Cat .

BeeHopper
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: Cindi on August 10, 2008, 10:46:54 am
Beehopper, what you are seeing is the plastic Pierco frames.  The plastic is white, I use both plastic and woodenware, my preference is definitely wood though, the bees were very hard to convince to use the plastic, I now only purchase wooden frames.  Beautiful and most wonderful day, groove on this groovey life.  Cindi
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: BeeHopper on August 10, 2008, 03:13:06 pm
Beehopper, what you are seeing is the plastic Pierco frames.  The plastic is white, I use both plastic and woodenware, my preference is definitely wood though, the bees were very hard to convince to use the plastic, I now only purchase wooden frames.  Beautiful and most wonderful day, groove on this groovey life.  Cindi

 :-D Thanks
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: tillie on August 10, 2008, 10:51:17 pm
The only time bees have drowned when I use Ziploc baggies is the time when I didn't lay the bag completely flat on top of the top bars.  I put the feeder in a hive box where I had three frames of honey for them to eat and in the blank space put a baggie feeder.  The corner of the baggie leaned up against one of the honey frames and bees drowned like crazy - I felt like an awful beekeeper that day.

 :'( :'( :'( Linda T in Atlanta
Title: Re: Baggie Feeder drowned bees today!!
Post by: Cindi on August 11, 2008, 12:55:41 am
Linda, others, never feel that there is a day when we are awful beekeepers, that is the school of learning, and we know well how much we learn by these lessons of hard knocks.  Beautiful day in this life.  Cindi