Best place for fondant

[sandysman]

I have read various articles about feeding fondant to the bees. However there seems to be a split in opinion between the advice to feed over the feed hole or slot in the crown board and those who favour putting fondant directly on top of the bars. (OMF and National Hives). What do the panel think please?

Thanks

Andy

 

[oliver90owner]

Emergency feeding or what? Closest to the bees in an emergency. Doesn't really matter, otherwise.

I've used most positions except under the cluster. I favour a frame feeder (modified for better side entry) for my 6 frame jumbo poly nucs because of the hive design; other than that, usually a take-away carton over a feeder board if the hives get light. All seem to work OK. Just avoiding emergency feeding is 90%+ of the way there.

 

[Saradan]

Always put mine directly onto frames, means having to use a eke under the crown board though. I wrap the fondant in cling film and tear a hole in the film on the side going directly onto the frames. Haven't had a problem to date.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

take away carton over the feed hole in the crown board (hole cut into Kingspan insulation to facilitate fondant feeding)

 

[peteinwilts]

take away carton over the feed hole in the crown board (hole cut into Kingspan insulation to facilitate fondant feeding)

presumably a largish hole in the crown board?

not sure if I want to ask how large your hole is!

 

[REDWOOD]

porter bee escape size hole or a center hole for contact feeder. The bigger the hole the more bees can get the feed

 

[peteinwilts]

porter bee escape size hole or a center hole for contact feeder. The bigger the hole the more bees can get the feed

22mm?

I coincidentally drilled my holes 22mm, but does not seem very big for a large amount of sleepy bees to gain access.

 

[oliver90owner]

C'mon, the hole size issue is a short lived one. Once they have a cavity in the fondant more than enough bees can get through the hole in the feeder board.

If that worried, make a hole in the fondant first! A hole the size for a porter bee escape is nigh on big enough for a hive entrance in summer!

 

[richardbees]

I've just found a 3 lb lump of Bako fondant left over from last year in the bottom of the salad chiller. Although triple wrapped in polythene it's rock hard - is it usable? My hives should be ok but I've a nuc that will need feeding.

 

[tonybloke]

I've just found a 3 lb lump of Bako fondant left over from last year in the bottom of the salad chiller. Although triple wrapped in polythene it's rock hard - is it usable? My hives should be ok but I've a nuc that will need feeding.

see what it's like when it's warmed up

 

[richardbees]

still solid after a day in the warm!

 

[tonybloke]

sure i've seen a method of 'reviving' fondant somewhere on here, in last 3 yrs

 

[BeeJayBee]

still solid after a day in the warm!

Spray it with water?

Slice it up and put it in plastic containers, spray the surface of each one with a little water and then close the lid. It should store okay almost anywhere, No need to keep it in the fridge.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

presumably a largish hole in the crown board?

not sure if I want to ask how large your hole is!

22mm?

I coincidentally drilled my holes 22mm, but does not seem very big for a large amount of sleepy bees to gain access.

Inch and a half to two inches. More than enough room (think beespace )

 

[YorkshireBees]

take away carton over the feed hole in the crown board (hole cut into Kingspan insulation to facilitate fondant feeding)

it allows me to check the amount of fondant left just by lifting the roof off and not disturbing the bees.

 

[shudderdun]

I had a similar problem, I put the dry fondant in a strong plastic zip lock bag, then placed the bag in a pan of boiled water for a while trying to work it with heavy duty rubber gloves, then tipped out onto a breadboard and worked it again, think a very light spray of water might help. Popped back into a zip lock and fed to my bees. It wasnt perfect but much much better.

 

[RogueDrone]

Microwave it for 2mins sgould soften up then knead for a while should be fine

 

[REDWOOD]

My wife has found my Bako fondant and she thinks the best place to put fondant is on her Christmas cake

 

[richardbees]

Thanks for advice, as it's more like 5lbs I'll divide and try your above suggestions.....

 

[stephenpug]

Always put mine directly onto frames, means having to use a eke under the crown board though. I wrap the fondant in cling film and tear a hole in the film on the side going directly onto the frames. Haven't had a problem to date.

is it ok to use this method only one of my hives is a little light but it does not matter how i position the crown board i cant get the feed hole over the cluster