How To Make Candy Board For Bees

As winter approaches, maintaining the health and productivity of your bees becomes increasingly crucial. One effective approach is to install a candy board during the colder months. This provides a vital food source for the bees when their foraging opportunities are limited. The following guide outlines the process of installing a candy board, ensuring your hive remains well-fed throughout winter.

Installing The Candy Board for Winter Feeding

Installing a candy board is a straightforward task that can greatly benefit your bees. The candy board serves as a supplemental food source, allowing your hive to thrive even when forage is scarce.

Ingredients for Candy Board Preparation

To create an effective candy board, you’ll need the following ingredients:

4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vinegar (optional, helps prevent crystallization)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
1/2 cup dry pollen (optional, for added nutrition)

Instructions for Making the Candy Board

Follow these steps to prepare your candy board:

In a saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, water, light corn syrup, and vinegar. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
Continue to cook the mixture until it reaches a soft ball stage (about 240°F or 115°C on a candy thermometer). Be sure to monitor it closely to prevent burning.
Once at the correct temperature, remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
When the mixture is cool enough to handle, you can add dry pollen if desired and mix it in.
Transfer the candy mixture into a mold or a shallow container lined with parchment paper. Smooth the surface with a spatula.
Let it cool completely before dusting the top with powdered sugar. This step helps prevent bees from getting too sticky.
Carefully cut the candy into manageable pieces for easy installation.

Once your candy board is prepared, you can proceed to install it on top of your hive, ensuring that the bees have access to this essential food source throughout the winter months.

In conclusion, embracing the practice of winter feeding through the use of a candy board can significantly improve the survival and productivity of your bees. A well-fed hive is more resilient, ensuring that your bees emerge strong and healthy in the spring.