Making the ultimate candy board

Its December and we should be thinking about making and installing candy boards as a supplement feed in case they run low. This recipe will not only feed your bees in the dead of winter, it will actually help the queen when she starts laying eggs at the end of January.

[@JClockwork13]

Most descriptive video I’ve seen on this so far. Just what I was looking for thanks.

[@windyacrebees]

Thanks and your welcome

[@windyacrebees]

I did another similar one about a month ago

[@KarenTucker-ll6zg]

Thank you

[@jacobsenterprises]

Great video - thanks. Any harm in increasing the amount of sugar and other ingredients to make a thicker candy board that will last longer?

[@windyacrebees]

I don't think its a problem. I have some big colonies and they may take a few weeks to eat thru the candy boards. They eat slow this time of year here.

[@jacobsenterprises]

Thanks. I have winter bee kind - can I use the same amount as the lemon grass oil you use in this video and also the pollen substitute as well

[@windyacrebees]

@@jacobsenterprises i would lessen the lemon grass oil..its very concentrated

[@yeseniaosorio7843]

Do ants get inside the beehive

[@windyacrebees]

Not during winter and the bees usually keep them out anyway

[@mubarakumar6903]

Awesome video! Thanks for the recipe. I would like to know what material you used for the insulation board?
Appreciate you response.

[@windyacrebees]

While I pass along the recipe and how to make it, the board itself can be purchased through honeybeesonline.com. I make my own boards after I purchased a couple, but am not at liberty to share the design out of respect for the creater of the boards. Once you order on from them, you will see the construction.

[@beategotz5421]

I made my first candy boards, following your instruktion exaktly. I let it boil to 250°F, quickly stirred in the pollen sub and honeyBHealthy. When I poured the sugar mixture into the boards (leaving Beespace) the mixture first turned clear and after about 5 minutes it started bubbling and foaming up like there was a fire underneath. It boiled up and I started to worry if it might spill over the edge.
I used a spatula to push the mixture down everywhere until it crystallised and set.
Why didn't it stay as smooth as it was at the beginning?
Have I done something wrong?
Only difference was me taking honeyBhealthy. And my boards have the aluminium both sides looking like a freezer in the inside. Maybe it reflekted the heat so enormous, that it started boiling again? 🤷‍♀️

[@windyacrebees]

If it had reflective properties on both sides it's very possible it retained the heat for a little too long. The candy needs to cool quickly and not keep cooking this is why when it hits the 250° mark you have to shut the heat off right away add in your two ingredients and then immediately pour. It's a trial and error and sometimes if I don't pour quick enough or let it cook an extra couple minutes I have had the bubbling happen also. It's perfectly fine if it comes out that way. They will eat at just the same.

[@BeekeeperBen]

I wouldnt use a no stick pan with a metal whisk, its not good for bees

[@billboelter7994]

What’s the deal if the sugar water goes back to dry powder @145. Tried different thermometers

[@windyacrebees]

At 250 you add the stimulant and pollen sub. Then remove from heat immediately and pour onto the cookie sheet or board. It has to be 250 degrees to work to make the candy. Once cooled and hardened, it can be placed on the hive. The heat from the clustered bees breaks it down to a soft or liquid feed for them to feed on. Its designed this way as a time release of sorts so they eat gradually. If they eat all at once and can't take cleansing flights, it puts their metabolism in danger, hence why liquid is not fed in cold climates during winter

[@lou8891]

Thanks for this video. I just made my cand for the candy board an it did not setup right. Still very liquidy underneath. So im going to redo it. I did not put it on the hive

[@windyacrebees]

If its got a lot of liquid..that usually means it didn't hit the high temp yet...

[@toddwelsh8353]

What kind of insulation is used on the board? Polystyrene or PolyISO?

[@TheGymboexp]

Where are you in western mass? I am originally from Pittsfield

[@windyacrebees]

About 30 minutes away

[@jacobsenterprises]

so one board should be able to take 8lbs of sugar or double your recipe?

[@windyacrebees]

I never doubled the recipe... my boards wouldn't hold it..too thick

[@anthonypeterson3112]

Is that a burns board?

[@windyacrebees]

Yes but i make my own candy and boards