Candy boards are a great way to provide supplemental emergency food to your bees during the winter months as they eat through their stored resources. They can provide much-needed carbohydrates to your bees needed to help them survive until spring, when foraging resources are available again. Candy boards are similar to fondant but have a slightly harder consistency and unlike fondant, they are un-cooked. The ease that comes with not needing to cook candy boards makes them a preferred option for many beekeepers.
Candy boards are typically made at home by mixing sugar and water until they form a “soft ball” that is almost dough-like. The mixture is then flattened and allowed to cool and harden for 24 hours. The resulting “candy board” of feed should be the right consistency, not too hard or soft, for bees to be able to eat it. (See our “What to Feed Honeybees” article in the “Read More” section below for more on making candy boards)
Candy boards for winter supplemental feeding should be added directly above the winter cluster, using a feeding shim or specialized piece of equipment to keep the board in place. Ensure you only open your beehive during the winter months under the right conditions and do your best to close the hive back up as quickly as possible.
Feeding bees candy boards can also provide some added benefits to your colony during the winter. The sugar within candy boards helps to absorb moisture inside the hive and reduces condensation. Using a feeding shim when feeding candy boards has its own benefit, too, giving the colony the option to use an upper entrance. This entrance is easier for bees to access as it’s closer to their food stores and also adds ventilation to help bees manage moisture.
Read More
What to Feed Honeybee Colonies
Introduction to Feeding Honeybees *
Using Feeders with Your Beehive *
How Bees Manage Temperature and Moisture *
* Colony Member–Only Content
