Hi John - I believe consensus is that while it may be better to feed after Apiguard, letting them starve is worse - so if you think their stores are low start feeding asap. Hopefully Ben can confirm. I've been feeding one of mine who were low on stored at the same time as Apilife Var, without any noticeable problems Steve From: riseholmebees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:riseholmebees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Kania Sent: 06 September 2010 18:57 To: riseholmebees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [riseholmebees] Re: FW: [Fwd: Feeding Bees and Preparations For Winter] Hi Ben, Don't 'diss' my bees! No stings since you showed me how to smoke their little lungs out!!! On a more serious note, I see you are already feeding your colonies; I am half way through treating mine with Apiguard (finish treatment next Friday) and was unsure of whether to feed now or wait until the treatment is complete? Regards John K _____ From: riseholmebees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:riseholmebees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ben Crabb Sent: 06 September 2010 08:56 To: riseholmebees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [riseholmebees] FW: [Fwd: Feeding Bees and Preparations For Winter] Hi All, You may have recieved this already, but if not please ready as there is useful information regarding feeding bees. I have already started feeding all colonies here at Riseholme, and they so far in the space of a week are onto their second gallon!! All are well apart from one hive which I think may have met with Johns and turned into a right bunch of miserable b***ards and sting like made when open (counted over 50 stings embedded in one glove on Friday!) Otherwise the rest look well and very strong, so hopefully with some good feeding will go through the winter and come out the otherside. Hope your all well and speak again soon Regards Ben _____ From: Rick Keracher [mailto:keracher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: 04 September 2010 13:10 To: 'Rick Keracher' Subject: FW: [Fwd: Feeding Bees and Preparations For Winter] Subject: [Fwd: Feeding Bees and Preparations For Winter] Dear District Secretary Please pass on this important message below from Andy Wattam to all your members as soon as possible; please don't wait for your next meeting which may be too late for it to be of much value. I am sure many of you are already supporting your new beekeepers but it is worth checking they do know exactly what to do in terms of winter preparation, are aware of how to check for food stores and indeed that feeding can be necessary at any time of year. It's so easy to assume knowledge that we take for granted. Best Wishes, Celia Whilst I have been out inspecting in the last week I have seen Numerous colonies of bees which are at the point of starvation, Some with only hours of life left where drastic action has been Needed, others with thankfully a few days feed, but, where intervention With food was essential. Would you please pass onto Lincs BKA Members about the importance Of 'hefting hives' (Photograph Attached), a gentle lift from The back of the hive to assess weight and feeding as necessary at this time of year, otherwise I fear that many will lose valuable stocks of bees. To the newer beekeepers this comes as something of a shock Unless their bees are fortunate enough to have access to Balsam There is nothing, and has not been anything coming in now For over a month in most areas I am attaching a useful factsheet for beekeepers - as always I can be contacted on the usual numbers shown below Andy Wattam National Bee Inspector. Head of Bee Health Field Inspection Service for England & Wales. Willow House 4, Lincoln Road Bassingham Lincolnshire. LN5 9HE Telephone: 01522 789726 and 07775 027524 Website: www.nationalbeeunit.com -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Feeding Bees and Preparations For Winter Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010 12:17:19 +0100 From: Andy Wattam <mailto:Andy.Wattam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <Andy.Wattam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: sec.lincsbka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:sec.lincsbka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <sec.lincsbka@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> CC: Bob Mould <mailto:croftselections@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <croftselections@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Keith Morgan <mailto:Keith.Morgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <Keith.Morgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail -- Celia Smith, County Secretary, Lincolnshire Beekeepers' Association No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.441 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3107 - Release Date: 09/01/10 18:34:00