During the flowering months of the year (approximately March - July in Oregon), bees can get their food - flower nectar - from flowers. During the non-flowering times of the year, the bees need to eat their honey stores to survive. Luckily, the reduced light and increased cold makes them slow down, huddle together, move less, and eat less. Unluckily, if their honey stores are too far away from their huddled colony, they can't get to it and they may still starve.
The mildness of Oregon's winters make it especially difficult for bees to survive because it's not quite cold enough, long enough for them to completely shut-down hive activity. Warm, sunny winter days can be great opportunities for important hive maintenance. Mild, rainy, Oregon-winter days can be that balance of not-cold, not-warm that confuses the hive as to what it should be doing and can cause unnecessary energy expenditure. Because of this additional mild-winter obstacle, Oregon bees can really benefit from having extra food-stores on hand. Bee candy can be perfect for those emergency food supplies.
Bee candy is basically solidified white sugar syrup. It can be placed in the hive in the Fall and diminish the need for the stress of mid-winter check-ups or feeding by syrups which can contribute extra moisture to the winter colony (a real problem in mild-winter climates). I made my candy and then slathered it onto deep-frames to be added directly to the colony's over-wintering deep boxes. Many recipes also recommend the addition of essential oils such as lemongrass (to encourage eating) and mint (to encourage healthy winter-guts). Many recipes can be found, but here is the one I used successfully.
Bee Fondant (Bee Candy)
by Gretchen Gingerich
covers 2 deep frames
4 lb granulated sugar
2 Cups water
1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice
essential oils such as lemongrass or mint
Measure the liquids into a deep pot and bring to a slow simmer. Pour in the sugar, stirring until it dissolves completely. Once all sugar has dissolved, turn the heat to medium high and use a candy thermometer to bring the mixture to a boil at 234 degrees F. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool to 200 degrees F. Add any essential oils (5-8 drops). Use a spatula to knead the fondant onto the deep-frames. Continue kneading until it (quickly) takes on a white-color. Then allow to cool completely. Frames may be stored by the bees in the hive or by the beekeeper wrapped in the freezer.
