I'm keeping 16 modified Tanzanian top bar hives out in the back yard here
at Canton, about 40 mi N of Atlanta, GA USA. I supply water for the
bee's foraging by two large tubs of water on either side of the hives.
The water has been mostly ignored this spring, but suddenly the bees are
taking it in large numbers, and they appear to be going to most of the
hives as best I can tell. The bees are Italian strain.
The poplar flow has just ended, perhaps cut a bit short by hot, dry
weather. Daily temperatures are cooler now than they were a couple of
weeks ago. Any ideas on what can account for the change in behavior?
It occured to me that perhaps there is a lack of honeyflow now and the
bees are using water to dilute stored honey for feeding to heavy brood
that's underway. I don't think it's being used to cool the hives though
that may be the case since there have been population increases.
I'm enjoying beekeeping in tbh's and intend to continue with them
exclusively for the remainder of my years on this planet. As a result
of information supplied by Paul, Dean, a couple of David's, Roy, and
others, I'm having the time of my life with tbh's, raising queens in
flower pot mininucs, and continuing to learn about honeybees. The
internet and BEE-L are wonderful!
Cordially yours,
Jim
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| James D. Satterfield | E-Mail: [log in to unmask] |
| P.O. Box 2243 ------------------------------
| Decatur, GA 30031, USA 258 Ridge Pine Drive |
| S.E. United States or Canton, GA 30114, USA |
| Telephone (404) 378-8917 Telephone (770) 479-4784 |
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