Crystalized Honey in Hive

[mellifera]

Hello-

I just removed supers yesterday and in looking into one hive, I noticed that some of the frames were full of honey that was crystalized.
Can the bees utilize this over the winter or should I hold back some of the recently capped comb?

Thanks!

Melissa

[Brian D. Bray]

Yes the bees can use sugared (crystalized) honey.  Leave it on and count it as part of your winter stores.

[Finsky]

Your winter seems to be far away in California.

You can get honey moving when you uncap frames and you put frame inside brood frames. Put one frame per week. Bees eat honey and lift it up during one week.

If frame is totally crystallized you may spray water on crystals. Water dilutes honey. When frame is iside brood area, it is warm and it melts crystals.

[mellifera]

Thanks for the information!

Our first frost here (at 4600 feet) is October 1st.
I have some time to prepare for winter, but have quite a few Varroa to treat for this season. I will have to watch these two hives closely and that is why I wanted to know about the crystallization.
(It's always something, right?)