Beekeeping Cold Weather Warning: Feed Your Bees Candy Boards

Sheri and I mix up a winter-bee-kind in our kitchen. Come join us and watch us make up a candy board!
Join My Channel Support Team:
/ @beek
I would love to be your personal mentor. Let's face it, beekeeping IS HARD. So many challenges and so many ways to easily make a huge mistake. My mentoring community, BeeTeam6 is now offered in tiers. Check it out to see which tier best fits your mentoring needs. www.honeybeeso...
LIVESTREAM EVERY THURSDAY AT 7 p.m. Central Time. Here's the link:
www.honeybeesonline.com/live
KZbin Merch such as stickers and BeekSquad coffee mugs: www.honeybeeso...
Feeding Your Bees During The Dearth Makes All The Difference In The World For Your Bees. Here's the link to our Spring feeding board: www.honeybeeso...
Use our additives when you make up your Winter-Bee-Kinds: www.honeybeeso...
ULTIMATE ONLINE BEEKEEPING COURSE
✅ If you are new to beekeeping or you keep failing, I strongly recommend you take my Ultimate ONLINE Beekeeping Course. This bundle includes all 7 of my online courses: Beginning Beekeeping, Mite Control, Spring: SurvivAL, Supering, swarms & Splits, Advanced Beekeeping, My Popular Queen Rearing Course, A Day In The Apiary With Me and How To Get Your Bees Through The Winter. Here's the link:
www.honeybeeso...
Subscribe To My Channel Please & Hit My Notification Bell:
www.youtube.co...
COFFEE MUGS: www.honeybeeso...
My FREE Downloadable "Raising Quality Queen Bees" book: www.uaex.uada....
MY INSTAGRAM: / longlanehoneybees
👀Take a look at our book that Sheri and I wrote, Backyard Beekeeping from our website and we will autograph it for you:
www.honeybeeso...
💯OUR ONLINE BEEKEEPING CLASSES:
www.honeybeeso...
Check out my Inspection Guide which you can download and print off to help guide you on your hive inspections:
www.honeybeeso...
DISCLAIMER: Some links in this description might be affiliate links which means if you purchase a product or service using a link I provide, I may receive a small commission. There is no extra charge to you. Thank you so much for supporting my channel which enables me to continue to produce more videos for you.
💪BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES I RECOMMEND:
Honey Bandit (Helps remove bees from your supers): amzn.to/3pBPNMx
My Yellow Rubber Gloves: amzn.to/3SZmFLM
Beeswax to add to foundation: amzn.to/3FWfVXY
Refractometer: amzn.to/476TCh5
J-Hook Hive Tool: amzn.to/3KBW8mv
Burlap: amzn.to/3IMU0ra
Microscope Camera: amzn.to/3IkkvDY
======================================
This video was filmed Using:
Camera: Canon R10
Amazon: amzn.to/3K2CUFC
Lens: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM
Lens: Amazon: amzn.to/44OydZp
Microphone: Comica Wireless Lavalier Microphone, BoomX-D2 2.4G Compact
Amazon: amzn.to/4aAuY9r
🌻FEED YOUR BEES:
Plan ahead for winter. Feed your bees in the fall by using my Feeding board known as the Burns Bees Feeder. Safely feed your bees from the top. Great way to help you build up your bees of winter physiology. Check it out:
www.honeybeeso...
Feeding Additives:
www.honeybeeso...
Pollen Powder: amzn.to/3Qo35XZ
📬If you'd like to send something to add to the store front to spruce up my back drop, send it to David Burns, PO BOX 254, Catlin, IL 61817
Whoa, you made it all the way down here! Thank you ♥️ Love you

[@mikeofborg2]

I use those round top feeders and fill them with dry sugar. It has worked pretty well the past few years and is less messy to clean come spring.

[@heirloomn.heritage7004]

2:03 You can easily calibrate all thermometers in an ice water bath. In a small cup, mix 50/50 ice and cold water (more ice ok). Place thermometer in ice water, ensuring sensor area is submerged (varies on style, see manufacturer instructions). Should read 32F/0C. If temperature is 1-3F warmer, ie 33-35F, then substract your candy temperature that same amount. If the calibration temp is 1-3F colder, 29-31F, then add same variance to food temp. If more than 3F off, buy another thermometer. #BeeKind

[@JailBird2333]

An old or broken thermometer is a candy maker’s worst enemy.

[@beek]

For sure.

[@raymondfrato367]

The thermometers can be calibrated in ice water.

[@beek]

That's what I'm reading in the comments.

[@susancampbell2112]

What percentage of vitamins nutrients are lost in heating the supplements? Would it be better to add after it cools some but before it hardens? You could dust it over the surface and stir it in as it cools. It may not be necessary if the heat isn't high enough to destroy the vitamins. Thanks for all y'all share with us.

[@beek]

You can watch my videos for over a decade and see how well the bees respond.

[@tonyc2863]

One thing we do when making syrup or candy, put a little warm water in a cup then add each of the three additives, stirring as each is put in. Then simply pour the contents of the cup into the syrup or candy and stir in. It mixes very well.

[@beek]

Nice.

[@tonyc2863]

@ We appreciate all that you teach us and do for us!

[@ArnTheViking]

Thanks for sharing! Why does it have to get up to 250 degrees? Would it not end up the same with lower temp?

[@nathanpotter8569]

Ok, depending on the temperature probes specs, you may or may not be able to do this. In the restaurant I worked at. We would calibrate our thermometers in this fashion. Get a glass fill it 2/3 with ice. Then water. You need ice to still be in the glass. For this, but room enough to for the probe to get in..stir it up and put the probe in. The reading should be 32° F (0°C) if there isn't ice in the glass, it won't be the same. If your unit is adjustable. Adjust it to 32° .. if not make notes, that's how far it's off.

[@beek]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@patrickstevenson17]

@@beek You can also put the sensor into a boiling pan of water and the temperature should read 212 F (or 100 C)

[@NMarsh8899]

Do you worry at all about HMF when feeding your bees with candy boards?

[@beek]

Nope not the way we do it.

[@theunlikelybeek]

It's so difficult, so I do mountain camp, because I just don't have the patience anything else.

[@beek]

We each have our own ways....that's cool.

[@scentofapine]

By heating up to those temperatures you destroy any vitamin and amino acid you are adding! Best to wait to cool off and then add the supplements! 💕🐝

[@prairiepinesranch]

Why not use a legit mercury candy thermometer like Taylor makes? $10. The way candy thermometers are made the glass bulb with mercury can’t touch the bottom, there is a stainless bottom that holds it up off the pot floor. Also has a sliding clip for the side of the pot.

[@prairiepinesranch]

I did not add a link in this. KZbin did this

[@heirloomn.heritage7004]

I wonder if powdered additives, 11:30, mix/dissolve better in cold water (reserve 2oz cold water from beginning), then add to hot mixture.

[@beek]

Try it and let us know

[@srae1503]

Good video, question, the candy on the board looked thin. Can you double the recipe and make a thicker candy board?

[@beek]

Yes, However, it changes the bees' ability to consume it by absorbing moisture differently.

[@bubbaberk2670]

How are you avoiding making hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) which is toxic to the bees when your heating to make candy?

[@beek]

Not too hot and not for long at all. That’s the key. Plus watch my decade of videos and how well the bees live it and are so strong coming out of winter.

[@carltonstewart1292]

Thank you for this video! Before this I had trouble duplicating your process from the instructions on the website.

[@bligon11]

why does the temperature have to go to 250?

[@tommywise1702]

Made it twice, so far so good. First one was a little hard, but next batch came out fine. Thanks for the video.

[@patrickkeating2860]

I really needed this video and you guys are awesome together!

[@rmore935]

I use a infrared thermometer. It seems to work well, you do have to move it around and get average. It's instant. I was told and I do this, but you should not stir after it begins to boil. It adds air and will cause it to crystalize. I do admit that mine is hard as a rock but it seems to work.

[@duanebarr1488]

What happens if the mixture get over 250 degrees? Is the batch ruined?

[@beek]

No the trick is to not hear it too high or for too long.

[@dwren4554]

You guys are a great comic duo as well a beesperts

[@beek]

Thanks

[@--SMA]

The 12 minute rule.is awesome!

[@myoplex20]

If you push the pollen through a sifter or mesh strainer it won't clump in the liquid.

[@carltonstewart1292]

Seems like the temperature maxes out for me at about 245 degrees. I just go ahead and stop cooking at that point. Still seems to work well for me.

[@christianshannon3943]

Since this candy is a little harder than fondant I must wonder how this does when condensation buildup on the candy side ? Candy like this will also absorb moisture and could cause it to become runny or drip sticky liquid over the cluster. All clusters will perspire . That why I use moisture boxes and place sugar bricks in as needed. The bees love to cluster on the screened bottom of the moisture box . I use red cedar chips in the box . The moisture boxes are medium supers that I converted to a moisture box . Too bad the moisture boxes won’t work with your candy boards .

[@beek]

I hear you but it has worked great over the last 15 years for me.

[@lt35phila]

The microwave hood appears to be too close to the stove. I think it should be 18 to 24 inches

[@--SMA]

Can I use the empty candy board as a quilt box for November and December, before filling it with candy?

[@reginawhite1235]

I'm sure I will watch this video a few more times. I always like to watch your videos at least two times in case I miss something. I've been watching your videos for almost 5 years now. By watching your videos I see that you have a very similar climate to mine. Although it is much flatter where you live. Anyways I was wondering at what temperature would you open up a hive and put your candy board in. What is the lowest temperature you would change out your winter be kind boards?😮 That's pretty interesting I always miss the live streams on thursday. I just read through some comments it seems like it was a controversial episode LOL which is crazy. I love your content!!

[@cliffordmcghghy329]

I make those in a 10 gallon pot on a fish fryer. My wife banned me from the kitchen because I am not so neat. I go to the patio and set up for this. I make about 10 boards at a time. to keep the pot from getting all smoked up and black on the fryer, wipe dish washing detergent (The kind for hand washing) and just smear it all over the bottom and about half way up the sides. When finished just wash it of in a swipe.

[@beek]

That's a great idea! I hope you can join us tonight at 7PM central time for our livestream. Here's the link: kzbin.infoCN7aym1G3AM

[@phpnotasp]

Sheri's mic was not on, as it's very hard to hear her. *mic check, mic check, 123*

[@beek]

Oh I know. I did a mic check on her before we started and it was in but somewhere along the line the mute button got pressed. Oh well, I never claim to be perfect in what I do

[@janachaloupecka3901]

Do you ship to Canada? And where do I buy the additives?

[@JSJackson]

Was there any point you measured the temp and actually measured 250 degrees or did you just estimate?

[@beek]

Like I mentioned in the video I knew at what rate it was climbing so I knew we’d hit 250 since we reached 248 and climbing.

[@hendcoff]

I use sugar bricks with no additives (just sugar moistened with water). Would this be solid enough to use as a brick? Maybe put it on waxed paper?

[@Kls1972sm]

Have u used a laser Thermometer to check the temp??

[@patrickjones1385]

Thanks David. At 6500 ft I always struggled with my WBK candy making. But this really helped. I was cooking it too long!

[@tristanskipworth4377]

I was lazy this year and just made sugar brick style candy boards haha.

[@beek]

It's cool. Gotta do what you can. I get it. There are many things I don't get around to doing.

[@patrickstevenson17]

David and Sheri. This was such an excellent video for the middle of winter.

[@beek]

Thanks Patrick

[@elena2010111]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@beek]

Glad it helped

[@autumnpaul7575]

I’m so glad to have Sheri’s blessing with this!😅

[@beek]

Thank you. She's awesome.

[@whispershuman5742]

I used your recipe this year and it was the best one I've ever done. Thanks!

[@beek]

That's great to hear.

[@j.clarkhelton7883]

David , Sheri --- Thank you so much for taking your time and resources to produce this video. Your efforts truly make a huge difference for some of us in understanding your processes. Thank You , Thank You , Thank You....

[@beek]

Awesome, glad it add value to beekeepers.

[@Joannahartley]

Y'all are the best!!! And I can't wait until my kids with candy board gets here!!!!! I also just got to say, I've wondered what your wife looked like, and She is breathe taking gorgeous!!!! And watching you two work together as a team was the cutest thing ever!!!! Love you two!!!

[@InventorGadget]

Thank you so much! Love from Sweden ❤❤

[@garyRt23Bees]

I have used your recipe and it works fine for me. If by chance they are a little wet you can put them in a dry room for a couple days and they will dry out. I use half inch hardware cloth that is stapled about midway on my feeder shims which elevates the candy above the bees. I line the wire with a single sheet of newspaper and pour the candy right on the news paper. It hardens right up without leaking thru. I poke a small hole in the middle for them to get started. But the gals remove the paper no problem and eat the candy. What I haven't figured out yet is how to make multiple batches at once. I guess I could set up a scale to make sure each one gets about the same amount.

[@PostFamilyApirary]

Thank you very much for making this video! This is a huge confidence boost in regard to improving this new beek's beekeeping skills!

[@ReadyUpGo]

You guys are the Best! Another gift to this noob. About your thermometer/hygrometers, i consider accuracy important with that tool in my piano service business and found small combo units in sets of four that tested accurate enough for my purposes. I don’t have a link but the point is that the hygrometer side can be very closely tested using table salt and a ziplock and the percent from correct noted on the unit. The temperature side of the units are rated to be + or - 2%° in the specs of most all I’ve looked into. Sorry I don’t have all the info that would be helpful.

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

Supposed to get Pretty cold here all this week so I made some candy boards today and plan to make some more tomorrow. Good video David and Sheri!

[@elena2010111]

Thanks!

[@beek]

Thank you so much for your Super Thanks donation!!

[@secksualloogie]

looks like i have a project for tomorrow! thanks so much David and Sheri from Ontario

[@beek]

Thanks for watching!

[@Robbie-Rob_Bees_Apiary]

great video

[@beek]

Glad it helped.

[@brianbennett4374]

Great 👍 video thanks David and Sheri 👍. Enjoy your channel and like how simple you make beekeeping feel 😊😊😊😊😊

[@beek]

Thanks Brian, thanks for your support! Glad you enjoy my videos.

[@alecjaquez9194]

Thanks for the pro & cons of making candy- board. Behind every great man is a great woman. Sherry is that “ so great” now you’re in trouble because instead of being behind the scenes on Thursday & Friday…. Next to you 😂

[@beek]

🤣

[@karindinarda8755]

Thank you for showing us how it's made. I need to make them and I was waiting for this video so I know how to make them. I'm in Ohio and my bees didn't have enough resources. I've had one on each of my 2 hives since mid December and I'm waiting for the temps to get out of the 20's to replace the boards. Great video!

[@Ambees_Honey]

Too cute! Always enjoy your videos! Thank you again!

[@beek]

I loved your honey!!!!!

[@JoshC00796]

I live at 7,200 arid (very low humidity). Have really struggled with making mine like yours... hopefully getting close to the right method.... Thanks for all you do!

[@kathywhite2408]

same here. I'm at 6700 and it always turns out dry

[@christianshannon3943]

Get a real candy thermometer that uses a scale .

[@jasonparsons9510]

You guys are so awesome!! Your so helpful!!! We love you guys!!!

[@beek]

Thank you for watching! Big thanks for the encouragement.

[@tlack6197]

I've had great results from using homemade granulated sugar bricks with pollen sub added here in TX...I'm thinking we have temps and humidity that allow the bees to easily break it down. It sure makes them ready to go as the temps warm coming out of winter.

[@beek]

That's a great idea to add pollen sub to the sugar bricks! Good to hear of your success.

[@jasoncole5242]

Thank you. This is my 2nd winter using the Winter Bee Kind. I feel that they really made a difference for the bees. I appreciate you showing is how to make the candy boards. I was unsure about mixing in the honey bee healthy and pollen sub when the candy was still cooking and if it would mess with us benefits for the bees. I'm glad to see you all throw it in towards the end.

[@beek]

It’s always good to add the pollen sub and supplements right at the end when the candy is cooling.

[@danielarnold9919]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERI🎉

[@beek]

Sheri says Thank you

[@doctortcbkk2027]

I LOVE THE WINTER BEE KIND BOARDS. I MAKE THE CANDY BOARDS ON THESE EVERY YEAR.

[@beek]

Awesome

[@timmycolbird3353]

Thanks for this! I have two of your Winter Be Kind boards on now. I also have one in the freezer ready that I made ready for change out. Happy Birthday Sheri!

[@beek]

Thanks for using my Winter Be Kind boards! Sheri says Thanks

[@anthonybadeaux9147]

Finished reading your book ! Loved it, and all the recipes in it 😊

[@beek]

That's so great to hear.

[@carolinasunfarms8562]

Thank you David and Sherri! I appreciate your video

[@beek]

Thanks for watching.

[@KimW-l8s]

So informative! Can't wait to try it!

[@beek]

Great to hear and thanks for watching.

[@janabaker4058]

A great video and 2 beautiful people!!! Thank you for all you guys do!

[@beek]

That's so nice of you to say. Thanks for watching.

[@wareagle1771]

You both are awesome! Thank you for sharing your recipe and method! And Happy Belated Birthday, Sheri!!!

[@beek]

Sheri says thank you and thanks so much for watching.

[@mattmiller9306]

Great, did not realize you needed to use these all winter long. But makes sense. If they are consuming them then guess they are needed. Had heard not to open hive at less than 50 degrees temp outside but if quick enough that makes sense too. Thanks so much..

[@rickb5416]

Thanks for sharing the secret recipe David and Sheri, much appreciated.

[@tommywise1702]

Thanks for the video. Seems easy.

[@SIBEEMAN]

Hi David and Sheri, you guys are really great together! You had mentioned that you have a spicy hive that you don’t go into during the season. Would you suggest that other beekeepers do the same or pinch the queen and replace her?

[@beek]

I'd recommend pinching the mean queen and requeening.

[@anthonybadeaux9147]

Great team work David and Sheri , awesome

[@beek]

We do work well together.

[@charliegioe3158]

Great video guys thank you so much for sharing. I will try to do it. Stay warm.

[@beek]

Thanks Charlie

[@ggerkits882]

Thank you!

[@beek]

You're welcome!

[@meganwinters5163]

Thank you both for this!!! Liked the video 🐝❣️

[@beek]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@JoshC00796]

Definitely watching this Thursday! U could auction one off!

[@gene-sloca]

David and Sheri thank you for sharing this video. Im going to go to your website and look for the recipe.

[@beek]

Thanks so much! Glad to help.

[@lindaferguson593]

Have you ever added any herbs to your bee candy? Any thyme or lemon oil? Thank you.

[@johnyoung5064]

Thank you David, very helpful as always

[@beek]

Glad to be of help.

[@nickguggisberg7056]

Thanks for the update, the recipe I received when I purchase my Winter Bee Kind boards was different in the procedure. It says to wait until the sugar cools to 180F then mix with an electric hand mixer. This will be quicker and easier.

[@beek]

Our recipe does not say that. Maybe we printed off a real old one accidentally?? Thanks for letting me know. Thanks for watching. I hope you can join us tonight at 7PM central time for our livestream. Here's the link: kzbin.infoCN7aym1G3AM

[@jimmyhilton5573]

Would like to know what kind of insulation board you use on top

[@bluemoonvibesapothecary]

Thank you. Now I’m curious about your mean hive that you said you never open up now since they are so mean. Do you just use it for honey production or do you just leave them B?

[@beek]

I intended to deal with it in 2024 but that will have to be a 2025 project if they live.

[@jakeneace9877]

Heck ya

[@lesliegantner5201]

Thanks for the great DIY video😊.

[@beek]

Thanks for watching!

[@gene-sloca]

Happy Belated Birthday Sheri

[@beek]

Thank you

[@darrellspencer1721]

Thanks for the instructional video.

[@beek]

Glad to be of service.

[@EastKYancients]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing your method

[@beek]

It was tough to set up, but glad we finally took time to make the video. Thanks for watching.

[@joejackson9214]

I have been stirring it while it’s going up to temperature. I think that’s why it got so hard. Great video

[@bligon11]

I did the same thing!

[@anthonypeterson3112]

I've been putting 3 tsp of honey b healthy, 3 tsp of amino b, and 3 tsp of protein substitute in each candy board...is that bad?

[@beek]

That much is not necessary. It won’t hurt anything but might make more brood.

[@anthonypeterson3112]

@beek that might explain why I had 100,000 bees by April last year

[@lenpuccio4447]

Do you recommend painting the outside of the candy board? Can you use them more than once?

[@beek]

I have some that are over 10 years old unpainted that I keep using.

[@garyRt23Bees]

I can see out the door it is snowing there as well. We are supposed to get 7 -11 inches tonight into tomorrow. I want the autographed one LOL

[@beek]

I noticed it when I was editing the video. I could see the snow behind us out the door.

[@rosswagner9083]

I've purchased 4 candy boards so far.....i like them but I've started using plastic containers sitting over the inner cover hole full of hive alive. It's soooo much easier to check, quicker to switch containers, and much less invasive to the bees. I LOVE being able to check the fondant with no way for the bees to get out and no need to open the hive.

[@beek]

As long as we are feeding our bees in the winter! Many different ways.

[@rosswagner9083]

@beek I'm going to use the 2 boards I still have in the freezer for sure though

[@rosswagner9083]

@beek in Wisconsin it will warm up then snow a foot this spring I'm sure

[@jayglosser2014]

GREAT VIDEO SHERI AND HELPER DAVID, cold week and expecting cold throughout January in February. Will try to pick a day without any wind to change out WBK boards. STAY SAFE, WARM AND HEALTHY 🙏

[@beek]

Hey Jay, thanks so much. Stay warm.

[@HappyLife-pp8ve]

What is your recommendation for calibrating? Measure temp at boiling of water?

[@robertcaudill1660]

Hello David, Rob from Searcy, Arkansas, quick question have you ever thought to use spirulina powder in your winter b kind as an extra protein source?

[@beek]

I've given it a tiny bit of thought.

[@AllOuttaSpoons]

Thank you! I have a couple of the empty boards because we’re so far away and I know how shipping is to here. They’d never survive shipping. I’ve been putting off making them. Now I have no excuse 😂 Thank you both very much for this! ❤🐝

[@beek]

Glad it motivated you to get going.

[@LegendaryJim_YT]

If you don't have the protein powder and you mentioned the Amino Bee Booster is more protein....can you just add two teaspoons of amino bee booster?

[@beek]

Indeed

[@Steele_Wings]

I need one for my teenage son who eats everything.

[@beek]

There you go.

[@atlas4225]

Random question, David... do you have a son named Justin who went to WVU?

[@beek]

Nope, I have three sons all here in Illinois.