Feb 22, 2010
As winter fades, our bees must rely on whatever is left of their stores before the first nectar flow begins. If the winter has been long and hard, as this one has been in many places, we may need to top up their stores, but we don't necessarily want to stimulate the queen to start laying in earnest just yet. The answer is to feed fondant - a semi-solid mix of sugar and water - that can be fed at any time of year, but is particularly useful now, as the bees will use it but it will not start the queen laying in earnest.
Here is a quick and easy way to feed fondant in top bar hives, with minimal disturbance to the bees.
Is it possible that in the future you might discuss the issue of swarming - do you seek to inhibit it? what action do you take? do you see it as a favourable trait?
Thank you.