Pollen and nectar are two different sources of nutrition for honeybees. Even though the bees are now hauling in local pollen, I never remove sugar water until dandelions have appeared in prolific numbers. I have been topping off my sugar water every three days. Hives with most frames fully drawn out with honeycomb, may need another brood box. I add my second brood box to the bottom of the hive since heat rises and cool falls. I want to keep my baby bees warm and it makes it easier to fill the feeder as well. We are adding second boxes on Sunday 4/30/17. Anyone who wants to observe this can meet at our house at 2:30 PM to shadow Dan. He will complete full hive checks as well. I will be out of state from 4/29/17 through 5/11/17 and will respond to emails every few days. dcogan1@alaska.edu
Hi Dawn, will you leave the insulated follower boards on the first box and add a set to the second box?
ReplyDeleteI don't remove inner insulation until night temperatures are above 35* - 40* and I insulate all boxes until this point. All of my hives have a second box added to the bottom now with the original brood box on top and the new box on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant to type is at 35* to 40* inner insulation can be removed.
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