dry sugar VS candy board

[roger lee]

Does dry sugar work as well as a candy board for over wintering?

[drobbins]

I used dry sugar last year with good success
here's a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZYtGNa6S6c

I don't see how it's really any different than a candy board and it's a lot easier

Dave

[BigDaddyDS]

For me, dry sugar worked better for three reasons:

* It's quicker and easier than making candy boards. (Less messy too.)
* More dry sugar can be added, if necessary, in the early spring.
* The dry sugar actually ABSORBS hive moisture, which my candy boards didn't do.

DS

[pcelar]

* The dry sugar actually ABSORBS hive moisture, which my candy boards didn't do.
Really good point!

[Pete0]

I'll agree dry sugar is easier and absorbs moisture but I thought that the candy board (fondant) was better for the bees as they did not have to add moisture in order to use it. I have made up my own candy boards using foil covered paper plates as forms and keep them in the freezer until needed. The recipe I use makes a candy that readily absords moisture as well (not as much as dry sugar though). I'll have to find it and will post it later.


Pete0
Bena, VA

[BigDaddyDS]

Bees need moisture to use both dry sugar and fondant. (And to use stored honey, for that matter.) Luckily for them, all through the winter they produce their own moisture, which condenses on the walls of the hive and gives them water to drink all winter long. And, conversely, unlucky for them, they produce moisture all winter long, which can lead to wet and frozen bees if the excess moisture isn't handled properly.

The dry sugar does that. Moisture still collects on the walls, which the bees use. But, the excess moisture that collects on the lid and rains back down on your bees, killing them, is absorbed by the dry sugar. As you've read several times, bees can handle the cold. It's the wet and cold that kills them.

I'll be doing "Mountaincamp's" Dry Sugar Treatment again this year!

DS

[Sundance]

I'll be doing "Mountaincamp's" Dry Sugar Treatment again this year!

?? what is that???:confused:

[indypartridge]

?? what is that???:confused:

Sundance,
There were a number of threads on this several months ago. Instead of candy boards or fondant, Mountaincamp has had good success at overwintering by adding an empty super, a layer a newspaper and 5# of sugar. I can't find the original thread, but here are a few - one with pictures:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216353

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216932

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215963

[Michael Bush]

>Does dry sugar work as well as a candy board for over wintering?

I haven't used the candy board but I've seen it done, and I've done the dry sugar on top. The results are similar and there is a lot less work doing the dry sugar.