Adventures in Beekeeping: Purchasing a top bar feeder and making honeybee food

hungrybeeWhen purchasing package honeybees it is a smart idea to feed them. Why? Think about it, the honeybees are moved into a brand new home after traveling in many cases a long distance. With package bees, they don’t have any suitable honeycomb stored.

From what I’ve been reading, it’s a good idea to assist them until they start actively going out and collecting nectar on their own.  As a beekeeper, I  will feed the new honeybees until they have plenty of honey stores for the winter months. What’s sad, is that some beekeepers get a bit greedy and take  too much honey which means their bees starve during the winter.

The past few years, our Maryland winters have been unpredictable. Some days it’s been cold and other days unseasonably warm. From what I’ve been reading, Honeybees do not travel outside their hive when it gets too cold.

Beekeeping: Hive top feeders
Beekeeping: Hive top feeders

Yesterday, I purchased the Hive top bar feeder. This will be my only feeder purchase next time I’ll make my own. I’ll also be making my own Honeybee feast for my honeybees.  The recipe is simple a 1:1 mix of water and raw sugar.

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Jennifer

Excellent! ANother idea for using Mason Jars!
Jennifer recently posted..Vamping up Convenience Foods & A Homemade Dressing!

Jennifer

Excellent! I also have over 80 around my house for different things! I’d love to hear more about the wine you made, too!
Jennifer recently posted..The Impossible, Kitchen Book Shelf, Work Food Hull, Vegan Mac & Cheese with Savory Spinach, and Deep Thoughts…