Fall Feeding

[Blair Sampson]

Temps are falling quickly here in Nova Scotia. Hives are fairly full and heavy but wondering when I should start feeding? 2:1 sugar syrup ratio or fondant or both??

[LazyBkpr]

 Feed what they need!   I usually give them a gallon at a time until they have the middle frames capped and the side frames mostly full then stop feeding. Let them cap what they have and put the sugar on.

   I always put sugar on top when I winterize so i do not have to worry..  Otherwise by the end of December to the middle of February I will be headed out to "PEEK" just to make myself feel better...

   If they do not use the sugar by spring I can take it off and use it to make spring syrup. So nothing is wasted

[riverbee]

what scott said!  i also use a one gallon pail of 2:1 if need be.  if bees don't take the syrup down, it could be for a number of reasons; they don't need it, temps are too cold and/or sugar syrup is too cold to take down.  i also use a shim feeder, and place winter patties, fondant or sugar cakes/candy on.  just extra insurance. 

if your hives are heavy you may not need to feed syrup, if you do, now is the time.  fondant/sugar can be added later......after syrup is removed.