Merioneth Beekeepers' Association
SPRING FEEDING WITH CANDY
Spring feeding is not essential unless you suspect a hive is running low on stores of honey. We have kept bees for 25 years and never gave a spring feed until last year when all the talk of "winter losses" persuaded us to make and feed candy. It is interesting, however, to see the bees eating the candy and it gives a clear idea of the size and vigour of the colony.
We only give small amounts, say a piece 75 x 75 x 5mm, and wait for this to be eaten before adding more. These thin pieces can be placed on top of the brood frames in a central position where they are accessible to the bees in cool weather. The thin slices should fit in a bee space or use a small eke.
Candy is preferable to sugar syrup in the spring to avoid introducing water and a high humidity into the hive. Candy however will absorb moisture. In wet/cold weather candy on a hive can become wet or very wet. This may even begin dripping which could kill a small cluster; hence only a small amount recommended.
Candy feeding is usually started in Feb/March as the bees begin to become more active and can be continued with small amounts until the warmer weather and flowers of late April/May.
