Winter feeding with frame feeders

[Bee Commander]

Has anyone used frame feeders and put dry sugar in them for winter feeding?

[apisbees]

The bees will either ignore it cause it is not over (close enough) to the cluster or they will turf it out of the hive. If the bee run out of stored feed, they will die before they move over and down into dry sugar in a feeder.

[Bee Commander]

Thanks, that makes perfect sense.

[riverbee]

what apis said bee c..............just make yourself some fondant or bee candy, and set it on top the frames.........

[tecumseh]

first let me say that yes I have done exactly what you describe.  the context of this was as an emergency feed source on very weak bees that were otherwise subject to being robbed out.  it is imho a last resort attempt at keeping a very weak hive alive.  they will somewhat utilize the sugar (especially if you wet it down just a bit) but every other form of feeding is superior to this. 

in the colder climates 'candy boards' are a superior way to feed boards but if you are like me and live very much south a frame feeder and 1 to 1 syrup works just fine < a frame feeder does allow you to meter in the feed over time and also to avoid any significant problems you may have with ants.