Ah, wintertime! The season when even bees have their own version of ‘hibernate and chill.’ Ever wondered what those industrious little buzzers do during the frostbitten months? No, they aren’t just binge-watching nature documentaries under the covers! Let’s buzz into the amazing world of bees in winter, complete with their cozy moisture quilts and candy boards. Because who knew bees could be so… well, cozy?
The Cozy Bees’ Winter Setup
Our little friends have a few tricks up their fuzzy sleeves to survive the cold. First up: the moisture quilt. No, it’s not something you snuggle with on a cold night while sipping cocoa (though that sounds delightful!). This quilt helps keep the hive nice and toasty while preventing too much moisture from causing a honey disaster.
And let’s not forget about the candy board. Bees might be sweet seekers, but they’ve got to bulk up properly for winter, right? This tasty treat is packed with sugar and provides the energy those little wings need to keep flapping when the snow starts to fall. Not too shabby, huh?
Winter Bee Food Recipe: Sugar Candy Board
Now that we’ve set the scene, why not make your own sugar candy board for our bee friends? It’ll be a hit in any hive and keep those buzzing pals energized! Here’s how it goes:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup corn syrup
- 1 tbsp vinegar (to keep the sugar from crystallizing)
- Optional: A pinch of flavoring (like vanilla or almond) - because why not?
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup, and vinegar. Stir until it looks like a sweet snowy mixture.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches 240°F (soft ball stage). Fly away, thermometer!
- Once you hit the right temperature, remove it from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Don’t drop it on your toes!
- If you’re feeling adventurous, add flavoring for that special bee-tastic zing!
- Pour the mixture into a shallow pan lined with parchment paper, and let it set until hard (about 1-2 hours). Your bees will be buzzing with joy!
- Once set, break it into chunks and sprinkle it on your bee feeder. Watch those bees munch away happily!
And there you have it! The sweetest winter treat for your hardworking hive. So next time you see a bee shivering in the cold, remember they’ve got their own cozy arrangements and a sweet tooth for candy boards. The winter wonderland is kind of like a bee spa day, just without the robes and cucumber slices!
bee hive candy boards
source = www.pinterest.ca
