Feeding hives is a great way to keep you hives healthy, strong, and happy. Those girls really respond well to sugar! However, there are a few guidelines to follow to get the best results. I like the division board feeders (see below picture) I like the division board feeder because it holds more syrup than a regular jar feeder and it gives the hive immediate access to the syrup. When to feed Feeding is important when you need the bees to to produce wax. A hive has to consume

Symptoms/Identification White, Gray, and Black mummies in brood cells, at the entrances, and on bottom boards Often found after cool, damp weather How it Spreads Infected equipment Infected pollen Moving infected combs to uninfected hives Drifting/Robbing Treatment Feeding Sugar Syrup and Pollen Requeening Increasing ventilation (screened bottom boards) Moving colonies to sunny dry locations Replacing old and diseased comb Prevention To help prevent Chalk brood, always steril

Varroa/Parasitic Mite Syndrome Varroa is one of the biggest problems in today’s beekeeping industry; proper understanding of them and the ability to identify the symptoms can help us effectively fight them. Symptoms/Identification Spotty Brood (can also be from a poor queen) Deformed wings Frequent spotting of mites on top of bees and in brood How it Spreads Robbing Foraging Drifting Diagnose Powder Sugar Roll Alcohol Wash Kills brood in all stages of development Treatment Ap