Beekeepers who don’t live near a warm source of water can buy bee feeders for winter to keep their bees happy. These feeders are often made of plastic, and can be placed on the top of the hive. Bees can climb into the plastic super and access the syrup inside, and the plastic is usually surrounded by jagged edges. Bees can easily slip and drown if the plastic super falls on them, so it’s important to make sure that the container is secure.
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Sugar bricks
The easiest homemade feed for bees is the sugar brick. The sugar brick can be placed on top of frames or under the inner cover of the hive. It is important to make sure your bees have complete access to the sugar, and do not use a pollen substitute because this can cause dysentery and inclement weather. The sugar brick is made of three basic ingredients: sugar, apple cider vinegar, and citric acid powder. It is important to note that the acid in the vinegar and citric acid powder help invert the sugar, making it more digestible for the bees. The sugar is poured into a shallow pan or a round plastic tray and is then scored with a rolling pin. The sugar bricks will harden and be ready for installation in just a few hours.
While the sugar bricks will keep the bees well-fed throughout the winter, they are more vulnerable during the cold months of the year. To prevent the bees from starvation, the beekeeper must periodically check the honey supply of his hives. Beekeepers should periodically lift the back of the hives and weigh them. If the honey supply is low, they should add more food. This will save money, and prevent the bees from starving to death.
Fondant infused with honey-b-healthy
For a healthier winter feeding experience, you can use sugar bricks with honey-b-healthy infusion. You can also use thick fondant infused with honey-b-healthy on the top of the colony. It will not fall through the frames and is more digestible for bees. Honey-b-healthy contains a special supplement that bees will find more attractive.
When you make fondant for bees, you don’t want to use high-fructose corn syrup or beet sugar. You don’t want to use beet sugar or other sugars that are GMO. Also, you don’t want to use powdered sugar because it contains anti-caking ingredients, while brown sugar contains molasses or caramelized sugar that are harmful to bees.
The original feeding stimulant, Honey B HEALTHY is composed of lemongrass and spearmint essential oils. This Non-GMO, patented emulsion promotes healthy hives by calming bees and preventing them from fighting. It can be added to feeding mix to help build packages and calm weak colonies. It can be used in both open barrels and packages. It is produced in the USA in a cGMP-compliant food manufacturing laboratory.
Cap and ladder design
The best winter bee feeders feature solid plastic or wooden tops. The bees access the syrup through a ladder, usually a plastic cylinder. As the level of syrup decreases, they advance down the ladder. Bees will use the ladder to drink and will advance down the frame as it becomes full. Caps are made of polycarbonate plastic. A sturdy plastic feeder will not let bees fall into the syrup.
Other types of winter bee feeders are made of plastic or division boards that fit into the hive cavity. They are popular for feeding bees in deep brood chambers and are typically sold with a capacity of one to two gallons. Some of these feeders fit medium boxes as well. Medium boxes will not hold a deep feeder, but can be used inside a deep box.
Honey-b-healthy syrup
If you are worried about your honey bees going without food during the winter months, consider using honey-b-healthy syrup as a supplement. It is recommended to feed bees in the evenings when they are less active, as it is less attractive to robbers. The supplement can be applied to the feeder in the middle of the night or at a reduced entrance to the hives.
The syrup is made of natural ingredients, such as sugar, which will help your bees digest it. It contains essential oils that prevent mold growth. Bees will not touch the syrup if it is too cold, which makes it essential to insulate the feeders. This is not the case with sugar water, because the bees will not come in contact with it if it is too cold.
