What's best to feed if winter cluster needs food?

mvanek · January 30, 2011, 05:43:23 PM

I'm a newbeek and this is my first winter...it's been a cold one here in MA too, so I'm very nervous about my bees. I haven't peeked at all yet; I've been avoiding it due to the cold and I try to keep a pretty hands off approach. But I will try to peek the next warmish weekend we get.

My question is, if I find that the cluster is near the top and/or needs some feeding, what is the best option? I've read quite a number of things, but I wanted to hear from experienced beeks on this forum.

So excited for this spring!! :bee:

Thanks,
Melissa

cam · January 30, 2011, 05:45:44 PM

I use candy boards

AllenF · January 30, 2011, 06:27:05 PM

Dry sugar.

backyard warrior · January 30, 2011, 07:10:10 PM

Use fondant :)

mvanek · January 30, 2011, 07:49:59 PM

Three responses...three different opinions. :-D

What are your reasons for using your favorite feed?

Robo · January 30, 2011, 08:37:46 PM

Any of the previous 3 answers will work, it comes down to your personal preference as to which is easier for you. Just don't feed syrup at this time of the year, adding moisture is a no no. Also, if you buy fondant, make sure there are no additives in it. Some folks don't like feeding corn syrup, which is in most commercial fondants.

Personally, I would either go with dry sugar on newspaper on top of the frames with an empty super or spacer. Or a block of candy over the inner cover hole. The candy takes a little more effort on your part, but requires less opening up of the hive.

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/

Finski · January 31, 2011, 06:40:10 AM

.
I use nothing. During winter I does not look the hives inside what is going in there.

We meet again in late Marsh and I take care that they have food up to spring.

I prefer to take capped frames from other hives and even the stores. The goal is to get rid off
winter sugars before honey yield.

Acebird · January 31, 2011, 11:21:42 AM

QuoteI would either go with dry sugar on newspaper on top of the frames with an empty super or spacer.

I am trying to picture this. If the super is empty then the frames you speek of are in the first deep on top and I assume there is no inner cover. Correct?

wildbeekeeper · January 31, 2011, 12:47:33 PM

you actually remove the inner cover place the fondant, canty, newspaper/dry sugar on top of the frames, then add a spacer or empty hive body/super to give room fo rthe feed then put your inner cover back on.

Acebird · January 31, 2011, 04:28:48 PM

If you place newspaper directly on the top of frames don't you close off a path for the bees to go from frame to frame? Does it make any sense to block up a sheet of cardboard or coroplast in four corners to let the bees navigate?

hardwood · January 31, 2011, 04:30:28 PM

No :-D

Scott

AllenF · January 31, 2011, 06:38:15 PM

The bees can go under or around the sides of the frames rather than over the top, assuming that the paper and feed is covering the box front to back, side to side. And they will eat out a hole somewhere in no time.

garys520 · January 31, 2011, 07:41:23 PM

Fondant works great. I usally look at the frames and see where the cluster is and place it right over them. The girls are able to get to it easier than dry sugar on newspaper.

Acebird · January 31, 2011, 07:41:24 PM

So bee space above the frames is not necessary. I thought that one of the functions of the inner cover was bee space above the frames.

tefer2 · January 31, 2011, 07:54:31 PM

Placing feed on the hive this time of year is to keep them from starving to death. No time to worry about bee space. They will only travel up to the food and they won't build comb on sugar candy.

AllenF · January 31, 2011, 08:05:33 PM

They are not making much wax or glue this time of the year in the winter cluster.

Rosalind · January 31, 2011, 08:07:14 PM

Melissa, I put a big slab of fondant on in late December and that seems to be working--saw the undertaker bees cleaning things out on Saturday. You are about an hour west of me, so I guess I would recommend fondant. Except I made mine at home in a stockpot, I didn't buy any, just because fondant from the cake supply place was hideously expensive (like $8/lb.). It's not hard to make if you get a candy thermometer.

sterling · January 31, 2011, 08:16:56 PM

Quote from: Rosalind on January 31, 2011, 08:07:14 PM
Melissa, I put a big slab of fondant on in late December and that seems to be working--saw the undertaker bees cleaning things out on Saturday. You are about an hour west of me, so I guess I would recommend fondant. Except I made mine at home in a stockpot, I didn't buy any, just because fondant from the cake supply place was hideously expensive (like $8/lb.). It's not hard to make if you get a candy thermometer.

Code Select

Would you tell us how you make it?

AllenF · January 31, 2011, 08:32:56 PM

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/

http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/feedingcandy.html

http://chestofbooks.com/food/recipes/Institute/How-To-Make-Fondant.html (for you cakes)

From another forum member (gotta love youtube)
DC Honeybees TV 12 11 10 Making Bee Fondant

and this one too
Making candy for the bees

Rosalind · January 31, 2011, 09:53:13 PM

I used Emeril Lagasse's recipe.
Emeril's cooked fondant
with the following substitutions:
"damp marble slab": clean countertop freshly wiped down with a dishrag
"triangular scraper": wood spatula & hands with rubber gloves on to knead
I didn't knead it that vigorously really. The bees don't seem to be choosy about getting a satiny wedding cake-like finish.