Probably been a bit silly...

[ShinySideUp]

Bakers fondant for feeding the bees in the winter is expensive in small quantities so I found a place on the internet where I could buy more for a lot less and I couldn't resist it. Unfortunately I now have 12.5kg of fondant to feed three hives.

Anyone else spent less to get more of anything then found you didn't know what to do with the excess.

I also once bought 2kg of oxalic acid from a furniture restorer and I still have it, preferring to use the retail versions so I don't overdose.

There has to be a way of not doing this!!

 

[kighill]

I think you will easily use 12.5kg on the three hives so no worries here. However I fully understand how easy it is to get carried away on Bee related items because I always do.
I once bought 150 honey buckets when I meant to order 15. I only realised when I picked them up.

 

[oliver90owner]

The silly thing, as I see it it, is why post? If you use what you want/need for less than alternative supplies, you could just throw away the unused portion, shirley?

On a more sensible level, one might ask ' why not just store the excess for later use?

As for 12.5kg being excessive? I thought that anyone purchasing far less was a numpty, unless in an emergency situation. Beekeepers generally don't go out and buy just ten frames or less at a time? Just 'shortsightedness', as I see it.

 

[enrico]

Some people will put that size block on a hive for winter and not Autumn feed at all. It will get used, still using three year old block, just goes a bit gooey, but ideal for sticking in paines poly nuc feeder.
E

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Bakers fondant for feeding the bees in the winter is expensive in small quantities so I found a place on the internet where I could buy more for a lot less and I couldn't resist it. Unfortunately I now have 12.5kg of fondant to feed three hives.

Anyone else spent less to get more of anything then found you didn't know what to do with the excess.

I also once bought 2kg of oxalic acid from a furniture restorer and I still have it, preferring to use the retail versions so I don't overdose.

There has to be a way of not doing this!!

Simple solution to keeping your fondant for future use is a trip to B&M Bargains or similar for a couple of packs of cheap plastic food containers with lids. Slice up the fondant into appropriate slabs to fit in the containers, fit the lids and it'll keep for years. To use, remove the lid and invert over feed hole. Simples!

 

[Uncle Betty]

The silly thing, as I see it it, is why post? If you use what you want/need for less than alternative supplies, you could just throw away the unused portion, shirley?

On a more sensible level, one might ask ' why not just store the excess for later use?

As for 12.5kg being excessive? I thought that anyone purchasing far less was a numpty, unless in an emergency situation. Beekeepers generally don't go out and buy just ten frames or less at a time? Just 'shortsightedness', as I see it.

Perhaps it's just a congenial conversation, rather than a full-on drama ?

 

[Heather]

Not so sure about using in poly nucs as feed. I have had bees pile in there and neglect the frames for too long... and it is a B to get out when no longer needed.

 

[Finman]

.
Normal SUGAR is best. 50 cents/kg.
.

 

[Finman]

Simple solution to keeping your fondant for future use is a trip to B&M Bargains or similar for a couple of packs of cheap plastic food containers with lids. Slice up the fondant into appropriate slabs to fit in the containers, fit the lids and it'll keep for years. To use, remove the lid and invert over feed hole. Simples!

More simple when buy sugar proper amount. Feed hives full with syrup in September. Take all honey off and sell then. = basic of succesfull beekeeping,

 

[ShinySideUp]

Perhaps it's just a congenial conversation, rather than a full-on drama ?

Exactly. It was just a conversational post and demanded no reply apart from perhaps some anecdotes. I could say 'why do I bother' but I think that is what forums are about, that and an exchange of help and information.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Not so sure about using in poly nucs as feed. I have had bees pile in there and neglect the frames for too long... and it is a B to get out when no longer needed.

On my bee course they showed us how the instructors did it in poly nucs and they didn't use the feed area but placed it in a plastic bag with the end open on top of the frames but under the acetate sheet.

 

[Uncle Betty]

Exactly. It was just a conversational post and demanded no reply apart from perhaps some anecdotes. I could say 'why do I bother' but I think that is what forums are about, that and an exchange of help and information.

This is the bit that made me think so, having carefully read your post...

Anyone else spent less to get more of anything then found you didn't know what to do with the excess.

It seemed to me an invitation to anecdote, in a light-hearted and probably self-deprecating way.

And yet we could probably have learned effectively and enjoyably from each other.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

On my bee course they showed us how the instructors did it in poly nucs and they didn't use the feed area but placed it in a plastic bag with the end open on top of the frames but under the acetate sheet.

What type of nuc was involved? Paynes polynuc acetate sheet sits on the top of the frames and my.Maisemore poly nucs didn't come with acetates but I made some. These also sit on the frames. I'm fascinated how you can fit a squashed bag of food in a non existent space if either of the above type of nuc was used.

 

[Swarm]

What type of nuc was involved? Paynes polynuc acetate sheet sits on the top of the frames

No it doesn't.

 

[ShinySideUp]

No it doesn't.

Thanks, you had me doubting myself then, so much so that I about to go out and have a look in my one poly nuc (from Paynes) just to make sure. The more I think about it the more I am sure there is one beespace above the frames although it is possible that the acetate sags to touch the middle of the middle frames.

 

[Uncle Betty]

Thanks, you had me doubting myself then, so much so that I about to go out and have a look in my one poly nuc (from Paynes) just to make sure. The more I think about it the more I am sure there is one beespace above the frames although it is possible that the acetate sags to touch the middle of the middle frames.

There is. I find they brace comb to top of acetate.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Thanks, you had me doubting myself then, so much so that I about to go out and have a look in my one poly nuc (from Paynes) just to make sure. The more I think about it the more I am sure there is one beespace above the frames although it is possible that the acetate sags to touch the middle of the middle frames.

Now you started me doubting myself and have been down to check. There is a space but it looks to be at the lower end of the tolerance for beespace and the sheet does sag in the centre. So apologies for my error.
Notwithstanding that the plastic bag would need to be squeezed exceedingly thin to fit in the space available. ☺

 

[birdsandbees]

I haven't gone mad buying excesses but just thought I'd pitch in on the feeding fondant in a Nuc thing.
I bought Miller feeders for my Paynes and the Maisemore Nuc comes with one, all I do is take out the divider on one side with the Maisemore one and add a cut open bag of fondant, if you have the polycarbonate sheet add that to the top of the feeder to avoid heat loss and bee escape when checking to see if it needs topping up.

 

[RosieMc]

Store it for next year - you never know how much they will use over winter, or what the weather will be like come spring. Use in apideas

 

[Codford]

I bought Miller feeders for my Paynes and the Maisemore Nuc comes with one, all I do is take out the divider on one side with the Maisemore one and add a cut open bag of fondant, if you have the polycarbonate sheet add that to the top of the feeder to avoid heat loss and bee escape when checking to see if it needs topping up.

Brilliant - now why didn't I think of that!