EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KEEP A HEALTHY HIVE ALL IN ONE PLACE
WINTERIZE YOUR HIVE
STEP ONE
STEP THREE
STEP ONE
ADD A SUPER TO YOUR HIVE WITH VENT HOLES. I LIKE TO INSERT PLUG CAPS INTO ALL BUT ONE OF THE VENT HOLES. THE OTHERS CAN BE REMOVED AS NEEDED IF YOU HAVE CONDENSATION IN THE HIVE.
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
STEP ONE
LAY LIGHTLY LAYERED NEWSPAPER IN THE SUPER ON TOP OF YOUR FRAMES.
STEP THREE
STEP THREE
STEP THREE
IN THE WINTER I LIKE TO PUT FONDANT ON TOP OF THE NEWSPAPER TO FEED MY BEES INSTEAD OF USING A FRAME FEEDER (WHICH I USE IN THE FALL WITIH A SYRUP MIXTURE) SO I DON'T HAVE TO OPEN THE WHOLE HIVE TO CHECK THEIR FOOD LEVELS AND ADD FOOD.
STEP FOUR
STEP FOUR
STEP THREE
SET YOUR INNER COVER ON YOUR VENTED SUPER.
STEP FIVE
STEP FOUR
STEP FIVE
PLACE A PIECE OF FOAM INSULATION ON YOUR INNER COVER AND THEN PLACE YOUR OUTER COVER OVER THE FOAM.
STEP SIX
STEP FOUR
STEP FIVE
ADD AN ENTRANCE REDUCER AND REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR HIVES OFTEN TO CLEAR ANY SNOW FROM THE ENTRANCE.
HEAT SUGAR, WATER, VINEGAR AND HONEY BEE HEALTHY IN A POT OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL IT REACHES 235*F . AS IT HEATS UP, IT WILL FOAM UP QUITE A BIT SO KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND TURN DOWN HEAT AS NEEDED. AFTER FOAMING STOPS, SYRUP WILL START TO THICKEN. ONCE IT REACHES 235*F, REMOVE FROM HEAT AND LET IT COOL TO 190*F. AFTER IT COOLS YOU CAN ADD 1/4 CUP BEE-PRO IF YOU WANT TO FEED THEM A POLLEN SUBSTITUTE. BEAT WITH A MIXER UNTIL IT IS SMOOTH AND CREAMY, THEN SPOON ONTO COOKIE SHEETS COVERED WITH WAX PAPER AND LET THEM SET UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED. FONDANT THICKENS VERY QUICKLY AS IT COOLS, SO HAVE YOUR COOKIE SHEETS READY AHEAD OF TIME. ONCE THE FONDANT IS COOLED, YOU CAN BREAK IT INTO PIECES AND STORE IN THE FREEZER IN ZIPLOCK BAGS TO USE THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.