Thanks, David.

> If the colony was started in good time and the forage is average
> then there
> should be no need for a winter feed. But if one is necessary then the
> amounts required could be more than what one would consider putting
> in a
> dish with straw in the bottom box. In which case Warré's large
> (top) feeder
> would be indicated.

As this is my first go at beekeeping I have no way of knowing if the
forage is average or not. So I'm just trying to think ahead to what I
*might* need. Better to have things ready to hand than to have to
rush around at the last minute.

> If you feed honey syrup as Warré suggests this should not be done
> too late
> in autumn and certainly not in winter.

I have no honey as I've not had bees before..

> When I used to feed my frame hives as a matter of
> routine in autumn I did it in late September. The average
> temperature at
> noon then is 16C.

Here in the foothills of Mount Rainier, Washington state, the weather
has really gone berserk. On Sunday it was 29 C and on Monday the high
was 15 C, and overcast. The whole week ahead seems to be about the
same -- cool, cloudy and possible rain showers. What goes on inside
the hive on a day like that? What do the forager bees do when they're
not foraging?


> (I'm not sure if the eke question was answered. It is an empty box
> of any
> height. At the moment mine are 50 mm and 100 mm but I am making a
> tall one
> to insert a frame on end from a National hive when necessary.)

Thanks again, David, and thanks, too, for the explanation about the
sump.

~ irene


Washington State, usa
46.5° N 122.1° W
Alt 1440' 439 m

>