How i get the most out of community feeders.

In this video i share a couple of tips that i use in late winter for feeding bees and attracting swarms.

[@randyclinganfarms4806]

Good information Randall.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you.

[@lauraburnham7436]

Thanks for the great video, Randall. As always, I got good info from you. Plus, I got to see that you have Redbud blooming at that site. That means to me that you have swarm cut off going on. I'm in mid-Missouri so I get to track springs progress up to me. Lots of newbies want to know when for splits here.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you. Although red bud is in full bloom right now here the blooms in the background is a peach trees the land owner has along with several apple trees which are off screen. Swarm cut off usually occurs in the middle of apple tree bloom here.

[@josephrawls]

Great video.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you.

[@mark-wn5ek]

I’ve never had any trouble with the bees finding the feeders. Seems like they have a syrup radar and as soon as they return to the hive and say follow me….like you say…it’s game on. Yes, you feed bees that are not yours but that’s how it is. I enjoy your videos!

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Most of the time that is the case for me as well. Thank you.

[@russellkoopman3004]

Randall, good video. Would it help to put the lemon grass oil right in the tub? That is what I've done in the past and usually within an hour they are feeding hard on it. After this cold front this week you will be starting swarm season I suppose. Have a good one.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you. It probably would but I would be concerned that the syrup once it was in the hive would have the odor from each hive as well. I do think we could see some swarms beginning as early as today. Had a low of 36 but going to around 70 today.

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Some solid advice there

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

Thanks for all your valuable information you share with us all. Did I hear you correctly a video or a few Bach to you said that you cut back on the amount of colonies you are running this season ?? .

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you. Yes I sold off some equipment. I currently have 23 colonies. I need more time for learning and working on my weaknesses in beekeeping like queen rearing and mite management instead of the almost chaos I have been doing the last couple of years. I have a full time job and most weeks it's 40-50 hours.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

@@randallcarter-carterhillho2277 i totally totally understand . It takes a lot of time an working a full time or more job takes away from them an a lot of stress. If I can say I have tried to keep up with all your video’s an I have agreed with everything you have done an said about how you make your choices on your way of taking care of your bees . It is always good once in a while to just step back adjust your sights in things . I am at the place I want to be at . Well maybe a hair past it so I need to keep a close eye on my amount I have in my yards. Keep up the great work an when possible keep your video’s coming. Good luck with your bees an I hope you have a great season. THANKS

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

@@kathyhathaway8823 thank you, I am happy you enjoy them and I hope have a great day.

[@reneallen6405]

Can you show what you put in your community feeder?

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

I put scrap boards and pine straw in there for floats.