Tucking in the nucs!

[Perry]

Got my 2 x 100lb. blocks of fondant so decided to get some on my nucs I am going to try and overwinter and then push 'em together and wrap.
I just made up some hefty patties wrapped in wax paper, removed the plastic over the feeder holes, set the patties on and closed things up. Slid the 5 - 5 over 5 nucs together, insulated on top, bottom and sides except for the front which gets tarpaper, I just have to do the small strip of tarpaper along the top to put on, and I will have to make sure I don't block off the upper vents. None of the bees were up top as of yet in the nucs.

[Marbees]

Nice set up, my only concern would be a non insulated front wall. Are these Coates nucs with 1/2" plywood walls?

[LazyBkpr]

So you put the fondant on over the hole rather than on the top of the frames?  Reason?  Curious..  I would think it would limit access to the fondant/sugar, but maybe thats part of the plan?

[Perry]

If I put insulation on the front it would negate any effect the black paper might have on a cold but sunny day. It is for the solar gain only. They are D. Coates boxes.

I put the fondant over the hole on top of the inner cover so I can put lots up there (for hives that may be light). In the spring when I am checking if any of my other hives need some (emergency) I make really thin patties and slide them on top of the frames underneath the inner cover. I first heard of this fondant business while reading a thread years ago by Bjorn Bee. He had an out yard that he couldn't access for months in the winter. He would take 50 lb. blocks, cut them in half, put each half over the inner cover holes surrounded by a deep box and see them again in the spring.

[Marbees]

If I put insulation on the front it would negate any effect the black paper might have on a cold but sunny day. It is for the solar gain only. They are D. Coates boxes

I understand 
Being a non believer in usefulness of solar gain on cold sunny days I wrap my hives like this



Here goes saying of 10 beekeepers and 11 opinions 

[Perry]

Here goes saying of 10 beekeepers and 11 opinions

Only 11?
 

[LazyBkpr]

heheh.. 30 opinions would be closer!!   and likely 25 of them would work just fine!

   Thanks Perry.. I hadn't considered putting fondant/sugar over the hole, I have always put it under the cover on the top bars.. Over the hole might save cleaning up a bit of mess in the spring, and keep the sugar above them better..  but I am concerned about their ability to warm it enough once they get away from the hole a bit??

[Perry]

I've never had a problem with the bees getting too far away from it. I have had on occasion (if the temps get too warm) had it drip down, so that is why I prefer to have it above the inner cover, and not have it run down between the frames.

[LazyBkpr]

AHhh.. ok, that makes sense.. I havent used fondant so have not experienced the issue of warm saggy fondant..   TY for explaining Perry!