Winter Beehive Feeding: How to Make Bee Fondant & Prepping the Hives for winter survival.

As winter approaches, beekeepers need to ensure their hives are properly stocked with food to sustain the colony through the colder months. In this video, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to make homemade bee fondant, a vital food source for your bees when nectar is scarce. Learn the importance of winter feeding, how to safely prepare and apply fondant to your beehive, and tips for monitoring your bees' health during the winter season. Keep your hive strong and healthy all winter long with these essential beekeeping practices!

Homemade Bee Fondant Recipe

Making your own bee fondant is a great way to ensure your bees have enough food during the winter months when nectar is scarce. Below is a simple recipe to make bee fondant at home. It's important to keep the ingredients as simple and safe as possible for your bees. This recipe avoids any harmful ingredients like corn syrup or refined sugar, and instead uses ingredients that are more natural and suitable for bees.

Ingredients:
4lbs granulated sugar (pure cane sugar, not beet sugar)
16 oz water
1 teaspoon white or apple cider vinegar

Instructions:
Prepare the Sugar Syrup:

In a large pot, combine the sugar, water and vinegar. Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar.
Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat and bring the syrup to a boil. Allow the syrup to boil for about 5 minutes.
Check the Temperature:

Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the syrup. You're aiming for a temperature of 240°F (115°C), which is the "soft ball" stage in candy making. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can test the consistency by dropping a small amount of the syrup into a glass of cold water. It should form a soft, pliable ball when you pick it up.

Cool and Stir:

Remove the pot from the heat and let the syrup cool for a few minutes. Stir the syrup gently as it cools to prevent crystallization. The consistency should start to thicken into a paste-like substance.
Cool to Room Temperature:

Allow the fondant mixture to cool completely to room temperature. Once cool, it should have a dough-like consistency that is firm but pliable.

Store the Fondant:

If you’re not using the fondant right away, wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature until you're ready to feed it to your bees.
How to Use the Fondant:
To feed the fondant to your bees, simply place the slabs or patties on top of the frames or under the hive’s inner cover. Make sure the fondant is close enough for the bees to access but not too tightly packed, so they can still reach it.
Some beekeepers use a fondant board or a similar method to ensure the bees can access the food easily without it getting too wet or messy.
Important Notes:
Avoid adding too much water: When making bee fondant, you want it to be firm, not watery. The consistency should be like dough or slightly sticky.
Monitor the hives: Always check the hive to make sure the bees are consuming the fondant, and top it off if necessary during the winter months.
Pure cane sugar is preferred over other types of sugar because it’s more natural and safe for bees.
This homemade fondant is a good alternative to sugar syrup in colder weather, where liquid feed can freeze or become inaccessible to the bees. It provides them with the necessary carbohydrates to keep their colony alive and healthy during the winter months



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