A couple of weeks ago, we beekeepers and our bees enjoyed above average temperatures and now there are freeze warnings for the next few days. The unseasonably warm weather triggered early blooming trees and forage to produce an abundance of pollen for our bees. The influx of abundant pollen encouraged our queens to fill frames with eggs resulting in big brood nests. With low temperatures forecasted in the 20’s and high temperature in the 50’s our bees will likely hunker down in their hives. To help our bees feed brood during cold weather please consider the following:
Feed 1:1 sugar syrup using feeders that are inside the hive, such as feeder pails, top feeders, and division board feeders. These feeders will give the bees easy access to syrup. Be sure the feeders stay full during this cold snap and for several days beyond, even when warm temperatures return. The unseasonably cold weather may damage early flowering plants and subsequent pollen production. The feeding of sugar syrup may need to continue for a couple of weeks to fill the gap until the next wave of nectar flow. Feeding sugar syrup with bees confined to hives could spark the swarming impulse. Please practice swarm control management by adding a brood box to give bees more space when temperatures moderate, or manipulating brood and honey frames. This may be a good time to boost weaker colonies with brood from stronger colonies. Be sure to locate and isolate the queen before moving frames.
Protein is essential for brood production. To provide the necessary protein it’s important to feed pollen substitute patties. Keep feeding patties until it’s evident that consumption is diminishing. Let the bees tell you when to stop feeding patties.
If you have questions please send an email to nwiabeekeepersresearch@gmail.com or call/text 507-227-5919.
Happy Beekeeping!
Tim Olsen
NWIABKA