Feeding Fondant

[garys520]

I have two hives in Connecticut, one has plenty of honey stores, while the other was a little light.  I started checking on warm days in January and the bees in the light hive were at the top of the frames so I started feeding fondant immediately and I think it saved the girls from starving.  The bees in the stronger hive are still in the middle of the two deeps and just found the fondant I placed on the top bars, they eat it, but I think they like their honey better.  The first winter for a first year beekeeper is nerve-wracking.

[justgojumpit]

I know just how nerve-wracking it can be!  My first winter I was so worried about them.  Now I'm not even with my bees in the winter.  I get them ready as best I can, and then wonder all winter long how they are doing.  I find out in the spring if I still have any bees left at all!  Talk about nerve-wracking! 

Where are you from in CT?  I live 10 minutes west of Danbury, just over the NY line. 

justgojumpit

[garys520]

I live in the Southeastern corner of the state real close to the ocean.  Bees do very well here, I harvested over 130 pounds of honey from two hives my first year from packages on new foundation.  Looking forward to adding two more hives this spring. 

[BjornBee]

I've been feeding fondant for a few years now. Beats the moisture concerns with syrup. And I slap on 25 pounds on a light hive and know they will go at least a couple months without needing to add anything.

BTW...nice woodenware.