bees and fondant

[blackbrood]

I make a habit of not removing it where possible as, to me, it has more advantages than disadvantages.

WPC, off topic I know but are you referring to the brace comb here? can I ask what are the advantages over the disadvantages as you see it?

 

[Haughton Honey]

WPC, off topic I know but are you referring to the brace comb here? can I ask what are the advantages over the disadvantages as you see it?

I am, yes.

It' simply a case of enabling the Queen to move more freely between brood boxes in the main.

 

[Vergilius]

Ben, If that is what he advised- then - please- can I help when you need advice, as his advice was POOR.

NO QUEEN EXCLUDERS IN WINTER SHUTDOWN- AND REDUCE HIVE SPACE TO MINIMUM

But I have come across a beekeeper with years of experience who had queen excluders under the crown boards with the feed above on every hive.
I am getting a headache!!

I never had a mentor Heather. I am referring to Bramblebee's mentor. Thanks for the help offer...

Ben P

 

[Birnambeekeeper]

I have just been at my hives to treat them and they are all packed with stores but are munching through loads of the fondant i gave in a panic when all the snow came. - i was actually going to post about this and ask if i had fed fondant too early... They are all full of bees which is encouraging. I gave more fondant anyway as i wasn't sure what to do

 

[Vergilius]

I have just been at my hives to treat them and they are all packed with stores but are munching through loads of the fondant i gave in a panic when all the snow came. - i was actually going to post about this and ask if i had fed fondant too early... They are all full of bees which is encouraging. I gave more fondant anyway as i wasn't sure what to do

If all your hives are "packed with stores" then there isn't really a need to continue to feed fondant... Wait till late Feb/March when they may be low on stores.


Ben P

 

[Birnambeekeeper]

thanks i will leave off any more fondant for now and wait and see

 

[Vergilius]

thanks i will leave off any more fondant for now and wait and see

Keep hefting to check if they need it.


Ben P

 

[Birnambeekeeper]

will do - pretty sure they are still heavy at the moment but will head up there in a couple of weeks. These are my bees eating the fondant! (if the pics have worked) Thanks for the advice

 

[Silly Bee]

Do you just put a slab on the CB, no container or anything?

 

[Vergilius]

Birnambeekeeper,

It is advisable to keep th frondant in cling film, container, plastic bag etc. as this gives it a longer shelf life. Also stops bees from drifting too far away from the cluster by going up through the feed holes.

Ben P

 

[Birnambeekeeper]

Yeah I've always just put a chunk over the holes in the CB then at each inspection just plug up the holes the bees make in the fondant with more fondant - I take the point though and I will put in a roll of cling film to my beekeeping stuff and cover it next time I'm up thanks