Open feeding is easy, but many people don’t want to handle sugar syrup, fondant, or a candy board. If you’re not familiar with open feeding, read on. This article will walk you through the steps. Here are some tips:
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Open feeding
When you’re new to beekeeping, you might be wondering how to feed your bees. There are many benefits to open feeding, from saving labor and time to preventing robbing. Open feeding bees is usually discouraged in beginning beekeeping classes due to a possible risk of robbing – when stronger bees enter a weaker hive and fight off defending bees. The danger of robbery is significant, as it can result in death of bees or a complete depletion of a colony.
Feeders with entrances are another option. They feature an inverted container with a feeding tray for the bees to enter. These feeders are easy to use, but can’t be used in cold weather because the liquid may freeze, or the bees can’t access the food. Generally, entrance feeders are used with a reduced entrance. Whether you choose a shallow bucket or a large, open feeder, make sure that the entrances are large enough to accommodate the feeding apparatus.
Sugar syrup
A five-gallon bucket can hold enough sugar syrup to feed your colony of bees. The syrup must be poured into the feeder, and the syrup should be stirred before the bees drink it. Using a spoon or a measuring cup, measure out the sugar and water according to volume. If you wish, you can also add a few drops of essential oils, such as spearmint, to the syrup. These oils not only keep mold from growing, but also serve as a dietary supplement for bees.
When feeding bees, sugar water is a simple process. It is mixed with hot water and should be stored properly. A 5 gallon bucket can hold about 2 gallons of sugar syrup. Bees should not be given more than 2 gallons at one time, so watch the bees closely. You can store any extra sugar syrup in plastic jugs, but make sure to sterilize them before using them. Sugar syrup containing alcohol is toxic to bees and should not be given to a colony.
Fondant
Fondant is a great substitute for sugar syrup when feeding bees with a 5 gallon bucket. However, it doesn’t have the same accessibility. The sugar content of fondant is much higher than that of syrup, which is the reason it lasts longer. You can place a large amount of fondant over the brood chamber or next to a warm cluster. This will provide the bees with extra calories to keep them healthy.
Another option is to use a plastic food tray covered in fondant and put it on top of the hive. You can wrap the fondant with cling film and place it over the top bars of the hive. A large takeaway food container, a semi-solid supermarket container, or a tortellini packet work well for this purpose. Just make sure you remove the clingfilm before inspecting the hive, as it will get in the way.
Candy board
You can purchase a candy board from bee suppliers, or make your own out of materials you already have on hand. Some beekeepers use old bee super boxes or hive bodies cut down to 2 inches in height, and then nail wire across the bottom to secure it in place. If you are new to beekeeping, this may be one of the most expensive parts of your hobby.
To make your own, you’ll need a wood frame, four 3/4″-thick strips. Next, you’ll need 1/2” metal wire mesh to make the board’s frames sturdy. The final layer should be another 1/2” thick wood strip, stapled on. The bottom of the candy board should be covered with a thin piece of parchment paper, with a small hole cut in it to allow for ventilation.
