Feeding and wintering

[achunter]

I have 2 weak hives going into winter one was a swarm i caught late and a spit i made to try and prevent the swarm prior to them swarming darn bees anyhow they do not have enough stores to make it through winter and iv been feeding them from the time i realized they wouldn't have enough is it possible to get them through the winter on solely feeding?? If not what should I do? and if it is possible exactly when should i feed them each day and at what ratio?
Thanks a lot!
Alex

[Robo]

I wouldn't feed syrup much longer because of the moisture content.  You might consider a candy board or dry sugar.  And yes you can winter them with just feed.

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/

[achunter]

alright so in order to get them through winter i need to solely feed them dry sugar?? how do i do that? iv never had a weak colony before going into winter can someone please help me out on exactly what to do
thanks alex

[beryfarmer]

I live outside of philly- i am about to stop syrup- dont know if it is really productive since they have lots of stores.

It is getting too cold to really feed syrup after another week.  They have to still evaporate the syrup.  I dont have any good advice for you.  I dont think at this point it will hurt to still try and feed them 2:1

My problem is mouse guards-  It is 70h 45 lo here and about time to put mouse guard on but if i do it really restricts the bees-  there is a big jam in the front and there are still bringing in pollen.--any suggestions.  My hive entrance is about 12 inches off the ground in a suburban back yard.  Any adive regaridng the mouse guard- when to put it on completely for the winter.  If i wiat too long I may get a mouse- but if I put on too early i restrict hive flow--any thoughts?

[Robo]

My problem is mouse guards-  It is 70h 45 lo here and about time to put mouse guard on but if i do it really restricts the bees-  there is a big jam in the front and there are still bringing in pollen.--any suggestions.  My hive entrance is about 12 inches off the ground in a suburban back yard.  Any adive regaridng the mouse guard- when to put it on completely for the winter.  If i wiat too long I may get a mouse- but if I put on too early i restrict hive flow--any thoughts?

1/2" hardware cloth works great without having to reduce the entrance.

[BjornBee]

I have 2 weak hives going into winter one was a swarm i caught late and a spit i made to try and prevent the swarm prior to them swarming darn bees anyhow they do not have enough stores to make it through winter and iv been feeding them from the time i realized they wouldn't have enough is it possible to get them through the winter on solely feeding?? If not what should I do? and if it is possible exactly when should i feed them each day and at what ratio?
Thanks a lot!
Alex

No amount of feed will carry a "weak" hive through winter.

If by chance you have a "light" hive, you may want to place some fondant on the hives.

[achunter]

sorry, i have a colony with a crap load of bees but not enough honey stores to get them through winter...whats fondant?

[scdw43]

Look at this thread. Do a search for mountaincamp method

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,19148.0.html :shock:

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#drysugar

[Grandma_DOG]

I am in Texas. We are about to have our 2nd minor honeyflow.

I have 3 hives that are light due to being nucs and cutouts. Any reason I can't feed them 2:1 for a month?  Well, aside from the fact the humidity this week has been at 95%, but I expect it to get drier next week.