Feeding Fondant ?

[Cuttingedge]

I am debating using Fondant in all of my mating Nucs as I need to be able to move them without spilling sugar syrup everywhere. Has anyone done this? Do they draw comb from fondant like they do from Syrup?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Has anyone done this? Do they draw comb from fondant like they do from Syrup?

Never use anything else, they draw comb perfectly well using fondant.

 

[Cuttingedge]

Thank you, that’s what I thought but wanted confirmation. It will make life much easier for me this season.

 

[Tim1606]

Plus with fondant there is no robbing.

 

[Finman]

I am debating using Fondant in all of my mating Nucs as I need to be able to move them without spilling sugar syrup everywhere. Has anyone done this? Do they draw comb from fondant like they do from Syrup?

Spilling Sugar syrup everywhere starts robbing. Mere feeding syrup to nucs will destroy the nucs.

 

[Into the lions den]

Never use anything else, they draw comb perfectly well using fondant.

Backing up HM.......at least for the first round fondant is without doubt the correct way to go.

 

[madasafish]

I am debating using Fondant in all of my mating Nucs as I need to be able to move them without spilling sugar syrup everywhere. Has anyone done this? Do they draw comb from fondant like they do from Syrup?

Our Association ONLY use fondant in mating nucs. I have followed their lead: much easier handling.

Combs are drawn normally...

 

[Cuttingedge]

Spilling Sugar syrup everywhere starts robbing. Mere feeding syrup to nucs will destroy the nucs.

Why is that? We have always fed syrup without problems.

 

[Cuttingedge]

For those using Fondant for mating Nucs, how much would you put in the feeder of something like an Apidea? Would you fill it up completely?

 

[Finman]

Why is that? We have always fed syrup without problems.

Because mating nucs cannot resist robbing pressure if robbers get syrup. That is why.

What means "always". 4 years or 40 y?

If bees have a good nectar flow, they are not interested on robbing. But on another situation they may have changed their mind.

 

[Cuttingedge]

I understand that robbers like syrup. We are only using syrup in mating Nucs to get them to draw comb. It is usually only for a few days in the Apideas and during a flow so we have not run into robbing problems with them. And about 6 years to answer your question.

 

[Finman]

I understand that robbers like syrup. We are only using syrup in mating Nucs to get them to draw comb. It is usually only for a few days in the Apideas and during a flow so we have not run into robbing problems with them. And about 6 years to answer your question.

I use in mating nucs normal frames. I have fed sometimes them with syryp, and often it has started the robbing.

I use to put into mating nuc one food comb, one brood comb and one foundation.

You may put a piece of ready comb too into a mating nuc.

What ever, guys have their superior systems over decades.

 

[Into the lions den]

For those using Fondant for mating Nucs, how much would you put in the feeder of something like an Apidea? Would you fill it up completely?

Full right to the top. Otherwise they can hang from the top cover and start to make comb there. Not desirable. If right to the top they have nowhere else to hang around and start other than the place you want them to be.

 

[Cuttingedge]

Full right to the top. Otherwise they can hang from the top cover and start to make comb there. Not desirable. If right to the top they have nowhere else to hang around and start other than the place you want them to be.

Thank you for the advice.