Jim Norfolk wrote: ↑01 Oct 2018, 10:24
I think this is about knowing your bees. There is no "one size fits all" on feeding.
And much else. And responding to what is in front of you not being too tied to what you or others did in previous years with different seasonal weather patterns. Its really mild around here and I am not surprised they are turning food into bees and good luck to them, I have the same in several colonies and just fed those again this weekend. Bit of a pain but hey.
As you have spotted, you could potentially end up with a tricky situation of large colonies, low stores and adverse weather. It won't stay mild for ever (or will it?), so I would just shrug and bung in some more. I currently mainly use the plastic so-called English feeders and they can take down a gallon and a half (in Metric, that's lots ) in 24hrs.
As suggested don't rule out popping on a big slab of fondant if they are still light and it gets too cold for syrup to be taken down. Get a 12.5kg slab of bakers fondant from a bakery or wholesalers and whack on a big slice in an eke - forget margarine tubs of highly priced designer stuff . Some quite extensive beekeepers just use fondant on its own and do fine.