There all all sorts of ways to feed bees during the winter (Candy boards, bulk sugar, sugar water in a pail in a box above the hive, etc). One that I use is feeding sugar blocks. They are easy to make and keep your hive from starving during the harsh parts of the winter.
Here in Texas, January and February are the toughest months. We have many days where the temperatures are high enough to keep the activity level up. While this is good in some respects, for instance they can finally make a relief flight, it is detrimental to the bees in respect that the bees to eat more, and then the cold temperatures come back and the stores have been depleted.
This is a receipt I found a while back I was given…….
Ingredients:
- 5# of cane sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp of citric acid
- 1/8 tsp of electrolytes
- 1/4 tsp of probiotics
- 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1/2 tsp of Honey B Healthy
Mix all of these ingredients together in a large mixing bowel and then spread out on wax paper to dry. I make them about as thick as pollen patties. Then just wait for them to dry.
I cut these up into squares and give them to the bees.
