Clarks Hill Bee Keepers Association

Can someone tell me the dates?

And should I keep feeding 1:1 syrup to my bees during a nectar flow, while they are drawing comb? They were package bees installed in April.

If there is adequate rain the nectar flow is from mid March to June. If in Augusta the nectar flow may last the entire warm season, from spring to fall. location, location, location. 

I would not feed the bees after the comb is drawn.

John and I checked on our ladies yesterday and they have drawn quite a bit of comb (sorry I didn't get a video of that...I'm debating on getting a different camera to take video, plus we both wanted to be hands-on).  I did notice eggs and capped brood cells...however, we found the queen and watched her for a while and never saw her deposit any eggs.  Is this normal?  She is VERY new and so is the equipment and whole colony...so should we continue to feed?  There are many frames that no comb has been drawn out on...should they be shifted or just left alone?  I am very excited about all of this, but I'm afraid of my excitement hurting the bees in the form of too much tampering.  What do y'all suggest?

RichardL.Blalock at June 2, 2012 at 5:20 AM

John and I checked on our ladies yesterday and they have drawn quite a bit of comb (sorry I didn't get a video of that...I'm debating on getting a different camera to take video, plus we both wanted to be hands-on).  I did notice eggs and capped brood cells...however, we found the queen and watched her for a while and never saw her deposit any eggs.  Is this normal?  She is VERY new and so is the equipment and whole colony...so should we continue to feed?  There are many frames that no comb has been drawn out on...should they be shifted or just left alone?  I am very excited about all of this, but I'm afraid of my excitement hurting the bees in the form of too much tampering.  What do y'all suggest?

Hi Richard, I guess I'm reading your question late and you probably have figured something out, but I know that queens don't like light and maybe she is not comfortable enough to lay while she is exposed, so since there are eggs and brood in there I wouldn't worry at all.

Feeding or not depends on your preference. As long as they have enough honey to get them through the winter, they won't starve. You should move undrawn frames into the center if the bees are ignoring the outside frames. I like to feed when I have undrawn foundations and for a while after installing a package until their numbers are strong. Feeding also can help if you are battling SHB infestations. So in your case, yes I personally would feed them a little to help with comb drawing, but you don't absolutely have too. Do what you feel is best.