How to Make a Sugar Board for Bees: A Winter Feeding Solution
Making a sugar board for bees involves combining sugar, water, and optional ingredients like pollen substitute, then letting the mixture harden in a frame to provide a solid, easily accessible food source for your hive during the winter months, ensuring they have the essential carbohydrates needed to survive.
Introduction: The Importance of Winter Feeding
Honeybees work tirelessly throughout the spring and summer to collect nectar, which they convert into honey. This honey serves as their primary food source, especially during the cold winter months when nectar-producing flowers are scarce. Unfortunately, sometimes the bees don’t store enough honey to last the entire winter, or the beekeeper removes too much honey during the fall harvest. This is where supplemental feeding becomes crucial. A sugar board offers a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to provide this needed sustenance, acting as a safety net for your colony.
Why Use a Sugar Board? Benefits Explained
Sugar boards offer several advantages over other winter feeding methods, making them a popular choice among beekeepers:
- Solid Food Source: Provides a reliable food source even in very cold weather. Liquid feeds can freeze, making them inaccessible to the bees.
- Moisture Absorption: Sugar boards can absorb excess moisture within the hive, helping to prevent condensation that can lead to problems like damp and chilled bees.
- Easy to Make: The ingredients are readily available, and the process is relatively simple, even for beginner beekeepers.
- Cost-Effective: Sugar boards are significantly cheaper than commercially available fondant or candy boards.
- Medication Delivery: You can easily incorporate medications, such as for treating varroa mites, into the sugar board mixture.
- Pollen Supplement:Adding a pollen substitute provides crucial protein support for the colony.
The Sugar Board Recipe and Preparation
This is the most common recipe, adaptable to different hive sizes and local conditions.
Ingredients:
- 10 lbs Granulated Sugar (white, refined)
- 1.5 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (optional, helps prevent crystallization)
- 1 cup Pollen Substitute (optional, adds protein)
Equipment:
- Large Pot
- Stove or Hot Plate
- Spoon or Spatula
- Wax Paper or Parchment Paper
- Deep Hive Frame (empty)
Steps:
- Prepare the Frame: Line the inside of the empty deep hive frame with wax paper or parchment paper. This prevents the sugar mixture from sticking. Secure the paper with staples if needed.
- Combine Ingredients: In the large pot, combine the sugar and water. Add the apple cider vinegar and pollen substitute if using.
- Cook the Mixture: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.
- Monitor Temperature: Use a candy thermometer if you have one. The mixture should reach the soft-ball stage (approximately 235-240°F or 113-116°C). This is crucial for proper hardening. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the mixture by dropping a small amount into cold water. If it forms a soft, pliable ball, it’s ready.
- Pour into Frame: Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into the prepared frame.
- Cool and Harden: Let the sugar board cool and harden completely. This may take several hours or overnight.
- Install on Hive: Once hardened, place the sugar board directly on top of the top hive body, under the inner cover.
Troubleshooting: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Making a sugar board is straightforward, but avoiding these common pitfalls ensures success:
- Undercooking the Mixture: If the mixture isn’t cooked to the soft-ball stage, the sugar board may remain soft and sticky, potentially collapsing into the hive.
- Overcooking the Mixture: Overcooking can result in a hard, brittle sugar board that is difficult for the bees to consume.
- Using the Wrong Sugar: Avoid using powdered sugar or brown sugar. These sugars don’t bind together properly. Use granulated white sugar.
- Adding Too Much Water: Too much water can lead to a soggy sugar board that molds easily.
- Not Lining the Frame: The sugar mixture will stick to the wood if the frame is not properly lined, making removal difficult.
- Introducing too early: Wait until the bees have entered their winter cluster before introducing a sugar board.
Alternative Methods & Recipe Variations
While the above recipe is widely used, there are some variations to suit different beekeeping preferences:
- No-Cook Sugar Board: Instead of cooking, the sugar is mixed with fondant or invert syrup to create a pliable dough. This is then pressed into the frame.
- Dry Sugar Feeding: Some beekeepers simply pour dry granulated sugar onto a sheet of newspaper or burlap placed on top of the hive. This is a less effective method than a traditional sugar board.
- Candy Board: Commercial candy boards are pre-made and often contain additional nutrients or medications. They are a convenient but more expensive option.
Here’s a comparison of these methods:
| Feeding Method | Ease of Preparation | Cost | Effectiveness | Moisture Absorption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar Board (Cooked) | Moderate | Low | High | High |
| No-Cook Sugar Board | Easy | Moderate | Medium | Medium |
| Dry Sugar Feeding | Very Easy | Low | Low | Low |
| Candy Board | Very Easy | High | High | Medium |
Installing the Sugar Board
Once the sugar board has hardened completely, gently remove it from the frame. Place the sugar board directly on top of the uppermost hive bodies containing the winter cluster. Ensure that there is a small opening or ventilation hole near the top of the hive to allow for moisture escape. The inner cover goes on top of the sugar board, followed by the outer cover.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I check the sugar board?
It’s a good idea to check the sugar board every few weeks during the winter months, especially during periods of extended cold. The amount of sugar board consumed will vary depending on the size of the colony and the severity of the winter.
Can I add essential oils to the sugar board?
Yes, adding essential oils like tea tree or lemongrass oil can provide potential benefits such as improved hive health and varroa mite control. Add a few drops to the mixture before pouring into the frame. However, use essential oils sparingly and be aware that overuse can be harmful to the bees.
What do I do if the sugar board molds?
If you notice mold growing on the sugar board, remove it immediately. Mold can be harmful to the bees. Check for adequate ventilation in the hive to prevent further mold growth.
Can I reuse the frame after the bees have eaten the sugar board?
Yes, you can reuse the frame. Scrape off any remaining sugar and debris, and clean the frame thoroughly before using it again.
Is a sugar board a substitute for leaving enough honey stores?
No. A sugar board should be considered a supplement, not a replacement, for adequate honey stores. The best practice is to ensure your bees have sufficient honey reserves for the winter.
Will the bees eat the wax paper lining the sugar board?
Bees might nibble at the wax paper, but typically they won’t consume much. If you’re concerned, use parchment paper instead.
What if I don’t have a candy thermometer?
Without a candy thermometer, you can test for the soft-ball stage by dropping a small amount of the hot sugar mixture into a cup of cold water. If it forms a soft, pliable ball that you can easily pick up, it’s ready.
Can I use this method for nucs (smaller colonies)?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe for smaller colonies by using a smaller frame or cutting the sugar board to fit. Adjust the ingredient amounts proportionally.
When is the best time to put the sugar board on the hive?
The best time to install the sugar board is in late fall or early winter, after the bees have clustered and before extended periods of freezing temperatures.
How long will a sugar board last?
The lifespan of a sugar board depends on the size of the colony and the severity of the winter. A typical sugar board might last several weeks to a few months.
Does adding pollen substitute affect the shelf life of the sugar board?
Adding pollen substitute can slightly reduce the shelf life. The sugar board is still likely to last all winter but could be more susceptible to mold if not prepared correctly or if hive ventilation is poor.
Can I put the sugar board directly on the bee cluster?
No. A sugar board needs to be placed so the bees can access it by moving upwards. Do not disrupt or move the cluster to place the sugar board near them.