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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
David MacFawn <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 6 Jan 2013 20:35:23 -0500
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Jerry indicated:

He noted that in
fall, the bees moved the honey in the periphery toward  the cluster, leaving
empty comb above and to the sides.>

I assume  that Southwick had it right when he said they use empty comb as a
dead air  insulator. Honey is NOT an insulator.



In the Lexington, SC area I noticed the bees typically move honey toward
the cluster around first to mid October. This is why, if I am going to feed,
I  make sure the feeders are on the hives mid-September. The bees know
better where  to locate the sugar syrup than we do, and they strategically place
the syrup  where it is needed for the winter. This will not work after about
the first of  November. I try to feed in the September/October time frame
all and any  additional syrup the colony will need to get them thru about the
first of April  (start of the Spring flow). This way the bees decide on
their build up based on  the temperature / seasonality of the year. I try to
avoid feeding in the  February / March time frame in favor of feeding the
previous September /  October. Unless of course the colony will starve without
feeding in the February  / March time frame.


However, with this said about feeding, I still prefer to leave on enough
honey that the colony produced the previous Spring and to a lesser extent in
the  Autumn rather than feeding syrup. My out of pocket expense is less. I
can do  this since I am not trying to make a living on the honey....honey is
typically  worth more than sugar which is one reason the commercial guys rob
most of the  honey. It is a trade off between not robbing down the honey to
reduce the out of  pocket expense, or robbing most of the honey to maximize
revenue / profit. I  also believe the natural honey the bees produce for
themselves is healthier than  the sugar syrup.


Different strategies apply depending on what you are trying to do. Yes,
this is the art of beekeeping. Being a hobbyist or sideliner is definitely
different than being a commercial guy!


Regards,

Dave M.
Lexington, SC USA.



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