[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

I have about 5 gallons of honey (extracted) that I decided to feed the bees for winter.

Somewhere I have read, making a hard candy of the honey, placing it in the hive in pieces,

and the bees consume? Anyone try this?

I have also used winter patties, but feel this would work.

Thank you.

 

[rwlaw]

it would be awful hard to make honey into candy without scorching it as there’s little moisture to bring it up to soft set temps (240F).

 

[Apis Natural]

sugar blocks are cheaper, and easier
cooking honey will destroy the nutrient value
you could get some of those cakepan circle feeders
and fill it with honey, just don't cook the honey

 

[JWPalmer]

I have about 5 gallons of honey (extracted) that I decided to feed the bees for winter.

Yikes! I can think of a whole lot of things to do with $600 worth of honey that does not include giving it back to the bees. Sugar is so much cheaper and, according to some, is better for them in the winter due to almost zero ash content.

If you are going to feed it, leave it liquid and use a good hive top feeder so the bees do not get stuck in the honey.

 

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[dekster]

it would be awful hard to make honey into candy without scorching it as there’s little moisture to bring it up to soft set temps (240F).

What about honey that has already crystallized into hard candy... Could be cut into chunks and placed right on top- would they consume it?

 

[GregB]

What about honey that has already crystallized into hard candy... Could be cut into chunks and placed right on top- would they consume it?

Sure; routinely done; best wrapped in thin plastic with a couple of slits.

 

[GregB]

Yikes! I can think of a whole lot of things to do with $600 worth of honey .......

+100.

Dry sugar (25-30c/pound) will carry the bees into spring just the same.

 

[Michael Bush]

Heating honey creates HMF (Hydroxymethyl furfural) which is poisonous to bees. Giving bees capped combs of honey is great, but if I've already harvested it, feeding it is more problematic because it sets off robbing. I would stick with dry sugar at this time of year.