The Mountain Camp Method Of Feeding Bees

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The Mountain Camp method of feeding bees is a simple method to place dry granulated sugar on the top of a hive. It is similar in many ways to making a candy board.

There are noticeable differences and we will review the mountain camp method of feeding bees as a way of feeding bees dry sugar.

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This method is really, really simple. You place a sheet of newspaper on top of the frames at the top of the hive. The sheet must be smaller than the hive box so that the bees can get around the paper to the sugar.

The Mountain Camp Method Of Feeding Bees

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On top of the paper, you pour a bit of granulated sugar and then spray this down with some water.  This glues the sugar together, and the fact that some of the sugar is now wet also helps the bees discover that it is sugar.

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A Note On Newspaper Use

Inks can contain heavy metals. Bees will eat the newspaper with time and or these inks can dissolve into the sugar.

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How To Avoid The Bees Carting The Sugar Out

Bees seem to need a bit of a nudge to understand what crystals are and how to dissolve them. I have had a situation where I used a version of the Mountain Camp method for feeding my bees.

My first mistake was to be clever and modify the method. My area is quite windy, hence I thought it would make sense to place the paper under one side of my spacer square. 

Common Mistakes

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ADVICE

Ideally, buy plain white granular sugar. Read the ingredients – if it says “Sugar” then it is fine. If it says “Sugar and starch” or something like that, do not use that sugar. Sugar with starch or other additives will cause big problems and kill your bees.

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