Another fondant question??

[Islandbees]

I have seen and read about fondant feeding over winter. However, some folk seem to feed large blocks of fondant on the frames in an eek or a super. This must make it harder work for the bees to keep warm due to all the extra empty space that needs heating. Would one not be better off feeding thinner strips on the frames or over the hole in the cover board (under the insulation)? Or is there a reason not to feed over the cover board?

 

[Arfermo]

I have seen and read about fondant feeding over winter. However, some folk seem to feed large blocks of fondant on the frames in an eek or a super. This must make it harder work for the bees to keep warm due to all the extra empty space that needs heating. Would one not be better off feeding thinner strips on the frames or over the hole in the cover board (under the insulation)? Or is there a reason not to feed over the cover board?

I only give fondant after treating with oxalic (sublimation) in late Dec/early Jan and then only if stores are light (hefted). All I do is quickly squash a lump onto the top of the frames and leave the bees to get on with doing what they want with it. Works very well indeed.

 

[fatshark]

I've just taken the empty bags from 12.5 kg fondant blocks added in the first week of September. All the brood boxes are stuffed with stores now. They take it down well, keep laying and you can treat for Varroa at the same time. They can keep things warm enough with no problems at this time of year and it'll all be stored by mid/late October. No need to fiddle about giving them small amounts ...

 

[BeeJayBee]

I have seen and read about fondant feeding over winter. However, some folk seem to feed large blocks of fondant on the frames in an eek or a super. This must make it harder work for the bees to keep warm due to all the extra empty space that needs heating. ..........

Add a layer of insulation directly above the fondant?

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I've dealt with this a couple of ways:

1) cut a hole in a block of kingspan, into which I insert the fondant, placed over the feeder hole of a crownboard;

2) use a rolling pin to roll the fondant into a big thinnish pancake, wrap in cling film, make some slashes in it and put it directly on top of the frames, under an apiguard crown board.

I prefer the latter; it's very easy to roll the fondant of its warm and the bees find it wherever they are clustered.

Dusty

 

[Islandbees]

Thanks for the advice. So there's no problem opening a hive up on a nice winters day to drop some fondant in he frames.

 

[Goran]

Thanks for the advice. So there's no problem opening a hive up on a nice winters day to drop some fondant in he frames.

I use to start with fondants from mid January. This year will try at beginning of February. I try not to shake the hive, place it on top bars and close. Once if I remember right gave them fondants while it was snowing. I think no problem in winter to give them fondants when is cold, just don't take too long opened a hive. Open, place it, close.
Below one older pic.

 

[Islandbees]

Thanks and nice pic. It's true what they say, a picture paints a thousand words.