Fondant on the crown board

[ShinySideUp]

Come the time this winter, is it ok to put the fondant over the holes in the crown board to save disturbing the bees? Will they go and get it or is above the board too far away?

 

[Anduril]

That's fine if the bees are near the holes.

 

[enrico]

It's fine but be careful as the fondant can go guey and make a mess of the Crown board. Try and keep a plastic layer between the fondant and the board if you get my drift

 

[ShinySideUp]

It's fine but be careful as the fondant can go guey and make a mess of the Crown board. Try and keep a plastic layer between the fondant and the board if you get my drift

Noted, will do that.

 

[Swarm]

A sheet of grease proof paper is ideal for that.

 

[Etton]

I use Chinese takeaway tubs from poundland just £1 for 8 and drill a round hole in the lid to match the coverboard hole. Have also placed a remote digital thermometer under the tub for curiosity's sake to measure the temperature. Only £3.29 off ebay with free postage. My average temperature is around 20c Its above the coverboard but below roof insulation so obviously hotter inside.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-T...or-/172963896699?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

 

[PapaLazarou]

What a cracking idea that thermometer is...

 

[Millet]

I use Chinese takeaway tubs from poundland just £1 for 8 and drill a round hole in the lid to match the coverboard hole. Have also placed a remote digital thermometer under the tub for curiosity's sake to measure the temperature. Only £3.29 off ebay with free postage. My average temperature is around 20c Its above the coverboard but below roof insulation so obviously hotter inside.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-T...or-/172963896699?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

Chinese takeaway tubs are too high no matter what type you buy, the semi solid feed is much better placed in Zip tie freezer bag's which can be flattened pretty quick , and that thermometer is a waste of dosh also simply because bees will do what they want anyway .

 

[madasafish]

Chinese takeaway tubs are too high no matter what type you buy, the semi solid feed is much better placed in Zip tie freezer bag's which can be flattened pretty quick , and that thermometer is a waste of dosh also simply because bees will do what they want anyway .

I find Chinese tubs are ideal feeders in mini nucs both for fondant and liquid feed..as for paying for them, I like Chinese takeaways.. If I use freezer bags, those from ALdi with tie hoops are cheaper and just as good..

(Did I mention I lived in Aberdeen as a student and learned my meanness there? )

 

[Etton]

I find Chinese tubs are ideal feeders in mini nucs both for fondant and liquid feed..as for paying for them, I like Chinese takeaways.. If I use freezer bags, those from ALdi with tie hoops are cheaper and just as good..

(Did I mention I lived in Aberdeen as a student and learned my meanness there? )

I use a Chinese tub with an eke and insulation around the tubs, works fine for me and I can afford £3.29 to satisfy my curiosity on hive temperature. If I trickle I will place the remote thermometer in the hive itself. Did this in the summer. It all helps understanding about hive temperatures.

 

[Madge]

Chinese takeaway tubs are too high no matter what type you buy, ... .

Too high for what?

 

[Poly Hive]

As the good Doctor Ellis said the individual bee is cold blooded, the super organism is warm blooded.

That is the critical point that many have yet to grasp.

PH

 

[peteinwilts]

I used to use takeaway containers and cheap tupaware pots, but once I had a fair number of hives, the cleaning and storage became a pain.

I use a ziplock or food bags. When ready to use, I slice it open (to suit the food hole). In the spring, I just throw whatever is left away.
I have a number of different sized packs ready to use (stored in an old larder fridge) 1/2Kg, 1Kg and 2Kg.

I only give fondant if required. Bees can and will sit on the fondant until it is finished, them eat the stores. Too much fondant may leave a glut of filled frames to deal with in spring.

 

[Murox]

Fondant on crown board

In principle its fine, given the advice already given. Hard candy could also be used and it would absorb some moisture/condensation, but both need to be on top of the frames really and then covered with an insulating layer.

 

[madasafish]

I use a Chinese tub with an eke and insulation around the tubs, works fine for me and I can afford £3.29 to satisfy my curiosity on hive temperature. If I trickle I will place the remote thermometer in the hive itself. Did this in the summer. It all helps understanding about hive temperatures.

I use an IR thermometer and read CB temperatures quickly after removing polycover. I also keep records of them in Spring so have some reference points.

(Apart from being mean, I am obsessive about numbers in beekeeping)

 

[Eyeman]

Too high for what?

If your running a reversible crown board with a 9mm/20mm shim then any feeder needs to be no more than 20mm high

 

[Millet]

I use a ziplock or food bags. When ready to use, I slice it open (to suit the food hole). In the spring, I just throw whatever is left away.
I have a number of different sized packs ready to use (stored in an old larder fridge) 1/2Kg, 1Kg and 2Kg.
.

That is what i use as they can be flattened out and placed on the crown board snugly under the unventilated poly roof, if i used the Chinese cartons i would have to faff about with eke's and more unneeded insulation.

 

[Poly Hive]

Actually no.

If you use a thin eke, mine are roughly an inch, then put the fondant on the top bars having of course hefted the colony to see if it actually needs anything yet.. then CB and Roof and that is all I use.

In due time.

Mine are lead blocks at the moment so need to feed.

PH

 

[Eyeman]

If you run hives with insulation above the CB and an open OMF then the bees are nearly always just under the CB so no problems accessing fondant if needed.
That's what I used to see when I carried out winter OA trickling.

 

[Madge]

If your running a reversible crown board with a 9mm/20mm shim then any feeder needs to be no more than 20mm high

Ok - so, a Chinese tub is only too high 'if' your eke is lower than whatever. It's not a total 'too high' or has anything to do with the wellbeing of the bees in mind. Most kinds of tub can easily fit in a super used as an eke (perhaps covered with insulation) - that's what I do.