Regarding statements I made about not feeding sugar syrup to bees in
USDA Climate Zone 4 (perhaps 3), Tim Eisele asks:
> Is this true for all types of feeder, or just for some types?  And is
> it because the bees won't break the cluster to go to the feeder, or
> because the syrup freezes, or because they can't deal with the extra
> water, or what?
 
To clarify, this is based on my observations using division board and
baggie type feeders.  I'm not sure why the bees don't take the syrup.
When I HAVE fed late in the season, the bees have had opportunity to
break cluster on at least some of the days, so I would discount that as
the reason.  Fall concentration syrup (2 parts sugar to one part water)
does not freeze, even in my freezer, so I would discount that as the
reason.  I don't know if the bees object to the extra water, but
remember that 2:1 syrup is VERY thick.  However, extra water and
clustered bees may be an attributing factor to my observations as well
as the possibility that the bees may have sufficient stores so they
simply aren't interested in the supplemental feed.  All I know for sure
is that I have observed untouched fall syrup in my hives enough times in
the past that I am confident recommending to beekeepers keeping bees in
areas similar to mine to conserve their time, effort and resources when
it comes to supplemental feeding after the end of October.
 
And as always, results may vary based on geographic location, climatic
fluctuations and possible even sun spots.
 
Aaron Morris - thinking when you cover all the bases someone will
               simply add more bases!