> Isn't it a pity that hindsight is never around when you need it!!

That's why we have the BEE-L logs.  sci.agriculture.beekeeping also has
searchable logs.  Feeding and robbing has been discussed many times over the
years on each of these resources, and just about every method and timing
imaginable has been strongly advocated by some and equally strongly condemned by
others.  The responses vary form uninformed nonsense to well thought out
technical explanations of the advantages and the pitfalls.  The wide range of
opinions and experiences detailed there are available 24 hours a day and seven
days a week for anyone to access by a reasonably simple search.

In contrast, asking a question 'live' on the list is risky if you need a quick
answer.  Such a request will bring some answers, but oftentimes, those who have
written on the topic before will not reply, especially if they have previously
gone to lengths to ensure a comprehensive and balanced explanation is made.

Our Mennonite neighbours have an expression that goes somewhat thus: "Strangers
rush in to help, but neighbours take time to dress".  Those who think a topic is
simple will rattle off a quick and simple reply, while those who are aware that
there are too many parameters involved for simple statements to be truthful have
to decide whether to prepare their thoughts and to spend an hour or two writing
a response that does the topic justice.

> I fed the bees just after dawn. Just after I had fed them the first e mail
> arrived warning me not to do it. There was no problem from the bees for the
> first three hours or so and then mayhem broke out. Bees flying in large
> numbers, every hive being buzzed by robbers yours truly stung incessantly.

Too bad.  Our logs contain a simple and effective method for stopping robbing
dead in its tracks.

> To those who said do not feed at dawn, thank you kindly. To those who said
> feed at dawn, take the advice of someone who now knows, and do not do it.

We commercial beekeepers feed our bees anytime, including dawn -- if we are up
that early, or still up that late.  We don't know what you fed, or how you fed
it, but -- trust me -- the time of day was likely not the largest factor in your
debacle.

There is far more to feeding bees than the time of day -- or any other one
simple factor.  Feeding bees is a complex and technical problem that won't be
adequately covered in a few paragraphs, or even a few pages.  The method
selected, the weather, the presence or absence of flowers in the neighbourhood,
the type of bees, the absolute and relative strengths of the hives, the hive
design, the entrance size, the feed chosen and its odor, recent history, the
amount of feed already in the hives, the geographical location and time of year,
and many, many more factors will influence the outcome.  An experienced
beekeeper will size up the situation without even being aware of it and be able
to see if feeding  wise or if it is folly, and the best method and timing to
use.  It is a much tougher decision for the inexperienced.

allen
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