It is important to maintain the feed program as we continue through this period of extended rainy period. The locust always seem to bloom during a rainy period; go figure. Whatever method you settle on for a feeding approach should be kept up. Those of you who have installed bees should be seeing frames being built out with wax and you should begin to see eggs layed in the bottom of some of those cells. When looking for eggs notice the pattern of the egg laying. You want to see very few cell skips in the egg laying pattern. If you are seeing random laying ( an egg here and an egg there) attention should be paid to the queen and the laying pattern over the next few weeks.
I am waiting to hear from a speaker before scheduling our next meeting however, it will likely be the week of May 18th at this point. I will keep you posted.
Hi Robbie, on inspection some of the frames I noticed that two of them have what I believe is called "Burr Combs". One frame you have already seen, but the other is really very full of these extended combs. Should I switch this out or just let it alone? Is this from my adjusting the frames and too much bee space? Thank you in advance....Susan
ReplyDeleteSusan I would just leave them be the bees will take care of it if it becomes a problem. They will continue to maintain bee space even with the odd comb development.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Robbie! Susan and I have a few questions. We are seeing large black ants around our jar sugar water feeder. Is this a concern? Also, we are mixing our sugar water at 1:1. When do we change the mix to 2 water to 1 sugar? Mary Ellen
ReplyDeleteThe ants should not be a problem they are attracted to the syrup just like the bees. You don't want a lrge numbe showing up but a few should not be a problem.
ReplyDeleteYou should be 2 water 1 sugar now. As they seek natural nectar sources and quit feeding on the supplied food source you can discontinue the feeding until a dry spell occurs or fall.