Left Over Fondant

[thundercat]

It was a glorious day yesterday in England, and I gave the bees a good look. Even though it's only 2nd March, they are busy actively bringing in pollen and making honey. We had a very mild winter; they were even flying on Christmas eve!

I have two BS National hives (one double brood, and one brood and super). Late last year, I feared that the bees were getting low on stores, so I put some fondant on. When I opened the hive yesterday, there was still quite a bit left - about 1/3 in one hive and 1/4 in the other. I assume that I can convert the fondant to syrup by just adding water, but how should you treat fondant? That is, is fondant 80% sugar? I should point out that I gave them Ambrosia.

 

[Poly Hive]

I just put mine in water and turn it to syrup.

PH

 

[drstitson]

you don't say how much you have in the way of actual stores left. it may be mild but this month is the danger period for starvation as brood rearing gears up but before the major nectar sources kick in in spring.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Checked mine today and they're all taking fondant down at quite a rate - not much forage around yet but due to the nice weather i bet they've stepped up a gear on the brooding

 

[Nellie]

I just put mine in water and turn it to syrup.

PH

Had to agree with you eventually.

 

[drstitson]

given the forecast for next few days hopefully all fondant has been left on.

 

[Skyhook]

I assume that I can convert the fondant to syrup by just adding water, but how should you treat fondant? That is, is fondant 80% sugar? I should point out that I gave them Ambrosia.

Thats what I worked on. Mine have a fair amount of stores left (about 3 frames). The leftover fondant has been converted into pollen substitute and they have some light syrup so they should be OK for a bit- but if I'm in doubt about the stores they may get the fondant back.

 

[thundercat]

Stores

I took the fondant off, and the bees have been very busy on the crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops, camelias and hazel. I will check on them early next week to see how they are doing. If they need a feed, I'll probably water down the fondant assuming it's 80% sugar. I have a refractometer to hand, so I should be able to verify the sugar content.

 

[Hivemaker.]

and the bees have been very busy on the crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops,

Any chance you can get some pictures of your honey bees working on the daffodils.