Panic mode

[jenkinsbrynmair]

But that is no reason to be so blunt.

To be honest - I can't see B+'s comment being blunt at all, in fact, he's just popped some helpful suggestions for future reference.
Looks like the professional offence takers have moved from the BBKA facebook page to here.

In a nutcase - to the OP:
Don't panic, no great damage done.
If you are using fondant in packets with a few slashes in, don't worry about it dripping between the top bars, next time you top up - take away the QX if you feel the need.
Think about using a shallow eke instead of a whole super to make room for the fondant, then crownboard, then celotex.
You could, in future if you feel like it just put the fondant packet, with a few slashes in, over a hole in the crown board and surround that in insulation.
The bees feed the queen - she doesn't need direct access to the fondant herself.

 

[enrico]

Never been on the BBKA page.....I accept his advice. Maybe it's just me. I just hate to see people turned off from such a useful source of info and of helping others. I will comment no more on this thread.
As for your advice Jenkins I think you are spot on with the answer!
E

 

[Poly Hive]

I have noted in the past that that person who has departed was pretty quick with the "elbow" himself and more than once I thought "Hmmm" not good.

I do not read B+ as being rude at all. Then it depends on how you read things I suppose and if one is intent on finding rudeness then rudeness will be found no?

PH

 

[For want of a better word]

can't you see he's a NEW BEE on his profile .

I have come to realise that some forumites with posts reaching the 1000s have a competence level is way below par..... mind you, saying that I have had the misfortune to have met some who have the NDB status that I would not let near any of my bees!!

No excuse for rudeness from anyone!

Yeghes da

 

[Beefriendly]

Unless it is made clear that opening a colony in January just to satisfy the owners curiosity is not the right thing to do, we will be condoning bad beekeeping.

Curiosity aside, it beggars the question of how one would trickle OA solution or add a block of fondant onto the top of the frames without opening a hive in the middle of winter?

 

[B+.]

Curiosity aside, it beggars the question of how one would trickle OA solution or add a block of fondant onto the top of the frames without opening a hive in the middle of winter?

Isn't it also incongruent to buy polyhives, or add extra insulation, if you are going to open the colony in the depths of winter?

 

[Poly Hive]

I pop off the CB to check the fondant. Makes no odds.

NOT though talking about raking through the combs. I am in and out in under a minute.

PH

 

[Beefriendly]

Isn't it also incongruent to buy polyhives, or add extra insulation, if you are going to open the colony in the depths of winter?

I used to do the same when all my hives were made of wood and I used no insulation (no matchsticks....before anyone asks!). They usually survived....
That cluster is designed to withstand.....
As has been mentioned we are talking quick in and out not a full blown remove and inspect every frame inspection.

 

[B+.]

As has been mentioned we are talking quick in and out not a full blown remove and inspect every frame inspection.

That's a bit different to dismantling a hive to remove a queen excluder.

 

[Popparand]

Mr Jenkins, Sir, many thanks for your very helpful reply. As other members have noted before, any bk question, issue, or topic in tis forum always invites a multiplicity of comments and different opinions. I didn't expect this one to be quite so controversial.

It being slightly warmer today and one or two of the girls popping out for a spin. I asked them what they would prefer. I'm sure I heard one say "wtf" just before going back inside.

Love to all

 

[Noddy]

Looks like the professional offence takers have moved from the BBKA facebook page to here.

I wish that there was a like button on the forum

 

[Curly green fingers]

I have come to realise that some forumites with posts reaching the 1000s have a competence level is way below par..... mind you, saying that I have had the misfortune to have met some who have the NDB status that I would not let near any of my bees!!

No excuse for rudeness from anyone!

Yeghes da

 

[enrico]

Or even a dislike button

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

That's a bit different to dismantling a hive to remove a queen excluder.

But the queen excluder isn't in place - it has simply been put on top of the brood box for the fondant to rest on - the only super on top is one without frames in acting as an eke.

 

[Beefriendly]

That's a bit different to dismantling a hive to remove a queen excluder.

Not really, you are just taking an empty super off and removing the QX underneath it. Less than a minute....although if bees are all over the fondant I'd leave well alone....in fact, in this scenario, that is exactly what I would do anyway as QX in the position it is isn't doing any harm.
But it diverges from the point, that a speedy opening of a hive for purposes such as dribbling OA solution or adding fondant etc will do little harm at this time of year.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This is what I do
Fondant over the feeder hole surrounded by insulation.
As a rule of thumb. If the bees come up to the feeder hole fondant is ok over the crownboard. If they don’t then it goes on the top bars. I have done one of each today.

 

[Nige.Coll]

So opening a hive in January to make sure they have food makes you an idiot.
But opening a hive in December to pour acid on your bees makes you a beekeeper.

Funny hobby this is.

 

[Swarm]

Mr Jenkins, Sir, many thanks for your very helpful reply. As other members have noted before, any bk question, issue, or topic in tis forum always invites a multiplicity of comments and different opinions. I didn't expect this one to be quite so controversial.

It being slightly warmer today and one or two of the girls popping out for a spin. I asked them what they would prefer. I'm sure I heard one say "wtf" just before going back inside.

Love to all

Love it.

JBM is spot on, no need for any concern.

 

[Etton]

This is what I do
Fondant over the feeder hole surrounded by insulation.
As a rule of thumb. If the bees come up to the feeder hole fondant is ok over the crownboard. If they don’t then it goes on the top bars. I have done one of each today.

I have put slabs of fondant resting on the top bars below the crown boards using as suggested on the forum freezer bags. I have not used slits but taken out a 6 inch square of the bag allowing the bees easy access to the fondant. Now hoping it won't drip down between the frames. Others on utube seem to do the same, not heard anyone saying it drips between the frames. Fingers crossed!

 

[Millet]

I have put slabs of fondant resting on the top bars below the crown boards using as suggested on the forum freezer bags. I have not used slits but taken out a 6 inch square of the bag allowing the bees easy access to the fondant. Now hoping it won't drip down between the frames. Others on utube seem to do the same, not heard anyone saying it drips between the frames. Fingers crossed!

I have had a full homemade 1ltr contact feeder full of 2:1 syrup leak all over the bees in my first season and the bees where fine, so i think a bit of a dribble from fondent will also be fine..