Evening all, I need to feed a hive in a hurry, this is the hive that reluctantly gave the wasps their last supper when autumn feeding. It's now the lightest of my 4 hives, perhaps not dangerously low, but taking no chances.
There are winter feeds and there are EMERGENCY feeds.
This doesn't actually sound like a proper emergency - might be, might not.
Personally, I think that (if you cant see through your crownboard), then if you are worried, you should open up and have a look. No need a full inspection, just can you find any stores, and are they near the bees.
Then you can decide whether they just need a mid-winter-ish top-up, or a flat panic *emergency* feed.
I haven't got fondant, so have soaked a bag of sugar and I have it drying.
I know nothing of the good and bad of this method so please speak up before I plonk it over the feed hole in the morning...many thanks..
That ain't how it works.
Bag of sugar, couple of small holes, in the water, then straight onto the hive,
dripping wet.
However, if it is a 'panic - there's nothing there' situation, the only time I've seen it (after a friend's hive was robbed out by wasps while she was on holiday), we poured some Ambrosia over an empty comb (trying to fill lots of cells) and gave that to the bees for an immediate refuelling.
Ambrosia stores well from one season to the next. Having some around (like fondant) is no bad thing. Cheap insurance.
The wet bag of sugar is principally called into play at an out apiary, where its easier to buy a bag than go all the way home and then come out again. A kilo of sugar should keep the colony alive until next week's visit.
The forecast for the weekend is positively warm - I'd suggest planning a clear look inside, then, if not before.