-by Steve Tilmann, MBA Treasurer
As this is written (end of April 2011), we note that packaged bees have begun to arrive in Michigan over the past two weeks. So beekeepers all over the state have been busy installing these packages. Anecdotally, we hear that there was (again) a significant die off of colonies this past winter. I lost 90% of my hives; but at least I am in good company. Zach posted that the MSU apiary lost 100% of their colonies. A lot of other beekeepers I have talked to are in this same ballpark.
Now that your packages are installed, you should make sure that you are feeding the bees. A 1 to 1 sugar to water mix is recommended for spring feeding (8 pounds of sugar to 1 gallon of water). Keep the syrup on the bees until they stop taking it. Many beekeepers are also supplementing their packages with pollen patties or other sources of protein.
Feeding this spring is particularly important, as the cool wet weather we have been having has delayed the early bloom. I have not seen a single dandelion, for example, and it appears as if a lot of the other early pollen sources are equally delayed (south central Michigan).
Helping your new packages of bees start out strong and healthy will have many benefits later on in the summer. So feed your bees!
Good point, Steve! we are going to feed our bees with megabee patties the next few days.
My bees were bringing yellow pollen on Sunday and I did some detective work.
Please vote one plant among the following lists: crocus, silver maple, red maple, daffodil, scilla, dandelion, pussy willow, cherry, apple…
I will write up a “pollen detective” in a few days.
but unfortunately, it is raining today!
Zachary
Zach,
Over the past two weeks, I have noticed the bees bringing in a bright yellow pollen, an orange-yellow pollen and a light greyish yellowish pollen. I presume these are from different sources. The first was a bright yellow. I looked around but could only find skunk cabbage growing, so I presume it was that. At that time, there were no willows or maples in bloom. I have seen some daffodils in blossom, but no bees working them.
Something about being a “pollen detective” would be great and definitely of interest to a lot of beekeepers.
Steve
In my Southeast Michigan area (Waterford), maples have been in bloom now for about 2 weeks. Earlier this week, a single dandelion bloom was found, with lots of dandelion plants beginning to come up. Crocus was in bloom about a month ago.
Yes, I found all my bees switched a pale white pollen 2-3 days ago. the yellow one was from pussy willow (confirmed by microscope). The pale one might be from cherry…weeping cherries and my Chinese cherries are bloom now. need confirmation by microscope.