Something I rarely see mentioned in the forum is fondant. Honestly, this confuses me. Everyone is worried about their bees making it through the winter, but no one talks about making up fondant and putting it in the freezer to have at the ready. I know from reading, that Robo makes up candy, and I made up some fondant sheets today .. ... just in case. It doesn't stimulate brood rearing... its easy to handle and make.. and great to have on hand. The bees eat it like.... well... like candy!! bahahahaha...doesn't anyone use this any more? Its pretty easy to slap on a sheet of fondant in the early spring to keep your bees alive.
Remember.. your bees don't starve to death in December or January. They starve when brood rearing gears up and they run through the stores they have left very quickly. Just something to consider.