Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: RangerBrad on July 05, 2011, 06:31:47 pm

Title: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: RangerBrad on July 05, 2011, 06:31:47 pm

Hey folks, Did a few splits lately ( within the last month) and caught a wild swarm about 2 months ago. We have a terrible dearth going on here. Bees are collecting some pollen but are mostly just hauling water and I feel I better feed the splits and possibly the feral hive also. To carry them to fall flow should I use the 1x1 (8 lbs per gal)or 2x1 mix (16 lbs per gal)yals suggestions please. Thank's, Brad

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: hardwood on July 05, 2011, 08:17:11 pm

1:1 for building...2:1 for storage.

Scott

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: AllenF on July 05, 2011, 09:39:24 pm

Ditto

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: FRAMEshift on July 05, 2011, 10:12:05 pm

Quote from: hardwood on July 05, 2011, 08:17:11 pm

1:1 for building...2:1 for storage.
Scott

Quote from: AllenF on July 05, 2011, 09:39:24 pm

Ditto

Have you guys done any direct comparisons of different concentrations of sugar?  I use 3:2 year round.  They build just fine with it in the spring and store it just fine in the fall.

I guess it makes sense that higher concentrations work better for storage since 2:1 is closer to the final product of capped stores at 18% water content.  But why is 1:1 better for drawing comb.  The bees are eating the sugar and making wax.  Do bees have to dilute 2:1 or 3:2 in order to eat it?

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: sc-bee on July 05, 2011, 10:39:23 pm

We get hung up on the ratio's-- do they?

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: RangerBrad on July 05, 2011, 10:43:52 pm

This is all on fully drawn HSC frames. So what your saying is I never have to use 1x1? Thank's, Brad

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: John Pfaff on July 06, 2011, 07:13:41 am

Have you extracted from the HSC?

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: RangerBrad on July 06, 2011, 10:56:00 am

No John, I've never extracted HSC I just use it for the brood boxes. Brad

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: hardwood on July 06, 2011, 07:36:04 pm

1:1 simulates a nectar flow and fools the bees into thinking they need more comb for storage. 2:1 doesn't need to be dried as much and this helps keep excess moisture out of the hive during winter.

Scott

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: FRAMEshift on July 06, 2011, 08:59:23 pm

Quote from: hardwood on July 06, 2011, 07:36:04 pm

1:1 simulates a nectar flow and fools the bees into thinking they need more comb for storage.
Scott

I know that's the theory, but have you ever done a side by side test to see if 1:1 actually stimulates comb building better than 2:1?  I'm asking because I use 3:2 and they are certainly stimulated to draw comb.

I suspect that other issues contribute to the decision to build comb.  If there is pollen coming in with the syrup, the bees may decide to build brood comb.  In the spring that may be a bigger factor than syrup.

Title: Re: 8 lbs per gal or 16lbs per gal for dearth?
Post by: hardwood on July 06, 2011, 09:03:00 pm

I'm sure any mix will stimulate comb building...1:1 (or even less) is the cheaper way to go.

Scott