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Sally PB said:
This is from that other thread.

How warm does it need to be to put on a liquid feeder? I'm guessing the liquid would freeze a little bit below 32F.
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Apis mellifera said:
Any commercial or homemade subs dont have ground corn in them, mostly soy, yeast, irradiated pollen. Nobody knows for sure if they benefit from ground corn even though they will readily take it until pollen is available, then they abruptly stop. That tells me its not on the top of their list to collect. Its possible they are also collecting the soy in the feed too. I dont feed anything, maple is the first pollen for my bees.
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Where I'm located February and March are the critical months and I have to feed sugar blocks in February as insurance and syrup and patties in March to encourage brood production. As you said Maple is also our first pollen. When I see them bringing it to the hive I no longer supply patties. When they slow down on syrup that is no longer given because wild and garden flower are coming on, Blue Berry bloom isn't far behind. I noticed a line about entrance feeders. Never used them and never will. you are always filling them and being outside the hive you are inviting Wasps, Yellow Jackets and foreign Honey Bees that can induce robbing. Just a little advise, take it or leave it.
 
Sally PB said:
This is from that other thread.

How warm does it need to be to put on a liquid feeder? I'm guessing the liquid would freeze a little bit below 32F.
Click to expand...
Water freezes at 32°F. It is the only liquid that expands as it freezes which is why it breaks containers. Sugar water is not "water" and has it's own freezing properties depending on the concentration. The 1:1 ratio that I feed freezes in the mid 20°F range and does not expand as it freezes.

In my experience, if the bees are flying they will take the sugar water. Bees that have been acclimated here will be flying in the upper 30°F range on sunny days.
 
5Australorpasaures said:
you are always filling them and being outside the hive you are inviting Wasps, Yellow Jackets and foreign Honey Bees that can induce robbing.
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While the container is located outside the hive, the access to the syrup is inside the hive. I have never seen any indication of it bringing in wasps or yellow jackets.

Just the fact that the hive is there can bring in robber bees from other hives.
 
R2elk said:
I had a really bad experience with a mean bee hive and now any stings swell enormously..
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Back in the 80s when we worked 20 hives one we used to call "HOT", 5 deeps high and packed to the walls with bees. You could smoke them with a bon fire and they wouldn't calm down always worked them last. They were an Italian strain. Now hobby keeping and working with Saskatraz (sp) and they are a real joy to work with. When the flow is on I can work without anything but a smoker. I will say if they crawl up my pant leg I do get day long muscle ache, can't get to the stinger so I get the full dose Oh well, take the hit keep working. :old
 
R2elk said:
While the container is located outside the hive, the access to the syrup is inside the hive. I have never seen any indication of it bringing in wasps or yellow jackets.

Just the fact that the hive is there can bring in robber bees from other hives.
Click to expand...
I use the interior 4 qt feeder shim enclosed with a medium hive body of course covered with top. Keeps me behind the hive and out of the way of front entrance pull out the empty drop a full one in it's place. Don't even get suited up or carry smoke. Maybe at most in and out 15 seconds.
 
5Australorpasaures said:
I use the interior 4 qt feeder shim enclosed with a medium hive body of course covered with top. Keeps me behind the hive and out of the way of front entrance pull out the empty drop a full one in it's place. Don't even get suited up or carry smoke. Maybe at most in and out 15 seconds.
Click to expand...
That works fine if you are warm enough for the bees to leave the cluster and use that type of feeder.

I tried it here and my bees did not use that type of feeder here during February and march when they really needed the syrup.

My bees will use the entrance feeders on sunny days any time of the year. I have no problem replacing the empty syrup jars. Never suit up to do it and never had any of the bees come after me.

If your method works for you, keep with it. My bees would starve to death at this time of the year with the super type feeder.
 
I don't know about arthritis, but I have chronic neck pain.
I got stung by a honeybee from a hot hive while I was working outside 50 yards from it, right on the back of my neck.
It swelled up and hurt at first, but then I didn't have any neck pain for 3 weeks! Pretty crazy, I know but maybe it has more to do with nerve pain? IDK
 

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