How To Make A Candy Board For Bees?

In the wintertime, bees rely on the honey that they have made and stored in order to survive the cold weather. During the coldest months, bees cluster together in a ball to keep warm. They generate heat by vibrating their bodies, and this activity is very energy consuming. That’s why it’s so important that the bees have something to eat in the wintertime.

Unfortunately, because winter temperatures have been warming over the last several decades, bees may also be more active outdoors in wintertime. Added activity means that they need even more food during winter. You can supplement their stored honey by making candy boards for them.

In this article, we share information about the use of candy boards and simple instructions to prepare a candy board that does not require cooking. We also include a video that demonstrates how to use the cooking method to prepare a candy board. Read on to learn more.

Make A No-Cook Candy Board In 4 Simple Steps

make a no-cook candy board

1. Build a frame

To make a candy board, you must first prepare a foundation. You do this by building a frame that is about 2 inches tall and enclosing one side of the frame with half-inch wire mesh to support the candy.

All you need to build a frame is some scrap wood and a piece of wire mesh that will fit the frame that you build. The dimensions of the frame should allow it to fit perfectly into the top of your bee hive.

You’ll also need to drill a 5/8 inch hole in the side of the frame that faces the hive entrance to allow the bees free access.

You will only have to build this once (or once every few years). At the end of the season, when the frame is empty or nearly empty, you can simply remove it from the hive, clean it and use it again.

2. Make some candy

Once you have your frame built, stir up a simple mixture of sugar and water to create a candy board for your bees.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A large bucket, pot or tote
  • A sturdy stirring implement
  • 16 cups of plain, white sugar
  • 3 cups of warm water

Stir the water and sugar together in your large container. You may want to add a tablespoonful of white vinegar to help prevent mold from developing.

You may also wish to hide a pollen patty inside the candy board for the bees to enjoy later in the season after they have consumed quite a bit of the sugar.

This candy board making method is extremely simple, but it may take a bit of strength and energy.

When you mix up your sugar and water it should have a stiff consistency. It should not be runny. If the mixture is too liquid, you’ll need to add more sugar.

3. Mold your candy board

Once you’ve mixed up your sugar and water, set your frame on top of some waxed paper or newspaper to prevent having the mixture become stuck on the surface you’re using.

Next, place a block of wood, such as a section of 2 x 4, over the 5/8 inch hole you have drilled in the side of the frame. This will keep the entryway from becoming blocked by sugar and will leave an opening for the bees to come and go.

Pile the soaked sugar into the frame around the block of wood. Pack it in, and then smooth it down using your mixing tool, a ruler, a paint stirring stick or similar utensil.

If you want to include a pollen patty in the sugar mixture, when you have filled the frame halfway with sugar, just push the pollen patty into the center of the sugar mixture and continue filling.

This will preserve the pollen until the bees really need it late in the wintertime. You needn’t worry about the pollen going bad because the cold weather and the sugar should preserve it until the bees reach it.

4. Wait

Once you have filled and leveled the sugar into the frame, you just need to wait. Within twenty-four hours, you should have a solid block of sugar for your bees to enjoy.

How To Make Sugar Boards For Honey Bees

When Should I Install The Candy Board?

Remember not to give the bees the candy board too early in the season. If they are still active, they will gobble up the candy board too quickly and won’t have it when they really need.

Instead, wait until the weather is consistently cold to place the candy board in the top of the hive.

To do this, you must remove the hive’s inner cover and replace it with the candy board. The screen side of the frame should be down, and the 5/8 inch hole should line up with the hive entrance.

Put the outer cover over the candy board. Check on this frequently during the cold weather, and if you find that the bees have eaten a significant amount of the candy, you may wish to add sugar bricks to supplement it.

No-Cook Sugar Bricks For Honey Bees

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Candy Board?

Using a candy board for your bees is an excellent idea because it provides them with many benefits. When the bees use up their stores of honey, they will begin eating the candy. This can keep them alive through the winter.

In addition to providing extra nourishment for your bees, a candy board can help prevent condensed moisture inside the hive. Remember that the bees stay warm by generating heat.

When this warm air hits the cold air coming from outside, condensation results. If too much moisture builds up inside the hive, it can kill your bees.

When you include a candy board, it absorbs the moisture. Additionally, condensed moisture will evaporate out through the hole that passes through the candy board to the hive entrance.

Frequently Asked Questions

how to make a candy board for bees

Q: Where should the candy on the candy board face in the hive?

A: The candy side of the candy board should be face down. It should be located on the brood box just above the winter cluster of bees. If you’re overwintering your bees in a single deep hive body, the candy board would be placed on this deep hive body with the candy facing down toward the cluster. If you are using two deep hive bodies for overwintering, then the candy board would be placed on the top deep hive body.

Q: Should I use an inner cover when I put the candy board on the hive?

A: It’s better to skip the use of an inner cover. Instead, you should place your top cover directly over the candy board. You can place the candy board on the top of your upper hive body or super with the candy facing down. Then, put your top cover on top of the candy board and secure it with a rock or brick to prevent it from being blown off by the wind.

Q: How does a candy board help with winter moisture in the hive?

A: During winter, moisture can develop inside the hive because of condensation. This is caused by the contrast between the heat produced by the bees in the hive and very cold temperatures outside. Condensation accumulates on the warm side, which is typically the inner cover or top cover above the hive. A well-designed candy board replaces the inner cover and any moisture that forms from condensation can actually assist the bees in consuming the candy.

Q: Why is excessive moisture a concern in beehives during the winter, and how does a candy board help with this issue?

A: Excess moisture can drip down onto the winter cluster of bees and chill them. An insulated candy board reduces excessive moisture because some of the moisture is absorbed by the candy. This also helps make it easier for bees to eat the sugar. For these reasons, a well-designed, insulated candy board helps prevent two of the most serious bee stresses of winter: dampness and hunger.

Q: How long will a candy board last on a hive?

A: Generally speaking, a candy board will last about three weeks, but the rate of consumption can vary. Colonies that have a lot of stored honey may not eat the candy board as quickly, if at all, until they need it. On the other hand, a colony that is close to starvation may gobble up a candy board within a week or two. This is why it’s important to monitor your colony closely and keep apprised of their condition.

Q: How often should I check my candy board?

A: It’s a good idea to check your candy board every three weeks. Taking a peek periodically helps reassure you that your bees have plenty to eat.

Q: When is the best time to place a candy board in a beehive?

A: Candy boards can be placed in a beehive at any time, even during the winter, but it’s recommended to add them to the hive by December 22 (i.e.: the Winter Solstice.) Even so, you can add or replace a candy board anytime during the fall or winter season. If your bees eat up their candy, you can replace the board in midwinter.

Q: Can I open the hive on a cold day to place or replace a candy board?

A: It’s best to place or replace candy boards on a hive when the temperature is above freezing and to complete the task as quickly as possible, ideally within a minute or two. Choose a warm, clear, still winter day to get the job done. Avoid removing any frames in cold temperatures; just switch out the candy board as quickly as possible.

Q: How do you install a candy board in cold weather?

A: Installing a candy board in cold weather is doable because you don’t have to remove any frames. Just open the hive top, remove the inner cover, place the board with the candy side down, and make sure the vent slot faces the front of the hive. Do this as quickly as possible to minimize cold exposure.

Q: Are there different types of candy boards, and what are they typically made of?

A: Yes, there are various types of candy boards, and they can be made from different mixtures. Some candy boards are created using soft candy, while others use hard candy. Some even use dry sugar or sugar syrup, thought these are not actually offered as “boards”.

Q: Why does liquid sugar sometimes drip out of a candy board?

A: Candy boards can be a bit on the drippy side on the bottom, even if the top seems to be very hard. If you see liquid sugar dripping out of your board, it’s not a cause for concern. This may happen if the board was left on end for a while. The bees will clean up the excess liquid and they’ll enjoy it.

Q: Can the candy break loose from the board while it’s on the hive?

A: While it’s rare, during extreme winter weather, the candy may break apart from the board on the hive. This isn‘t really a problem, though. The bees will continue to eat the sugar even if it breaks loose.

Q: Are candy boards just made of sugar?

A: No, a balanced candy board is typically made from sugar combined with a healthy amount of pollen powder. This balance is absolutely necessary because bees need sugar for energy and pollen for protein during the winter. Some beekeepers make the mistake of only feeding sugar to their bees. This is alright for short term or in emergencies, but in the long run bees need a balanced diet that includes protein obtained from pollen.

Resource:

  1. Feeding Sugar To Honeybees

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