Many beekeepers use a method of winter feeding known as a candy board. This is merely a device that resembles an outer cover, but is only 1 or 2 inches deep, and is designed to match the walls of a Langstroth hive. Sugar is then mixed with water and boiled until all the sugar is dissolved. The sugar mixture is then poured into the candy board where it hardens.

However one beekeeper going by the name of Mountain Camp on beesource.com, basically posed the question "why go through all that work, when you can simply pour the sugar into the hive on a newspaper?" His method was much easier, and eliminated the intensive labor and materials that was need to make a candy board. It is possible that older generations of beekeepers have used this method before. However the members of beesource.com dubbed this the "Mountain Camp Method", because he is the one who brought it to light.

Using the Mountain Camp Method is as simple as placing an empty shallow or medium super on top of the hive below the inner cover. Then place a newspaper over the top bars of the frames. Now pour the desired amount of sugar on the newspaper; then put the inner and outer cover back on.

It is also important to make sure that no part of the newspaper is exposed to the outside elements. If any part of the newspaper is exposed, it will wick moisture into the hive, and possibly kill the bees. For this reason, do not place the newspaper on the hive, then place the super on over it. Even if you tare off the excess newspaper, it will still wick moisture into the hive just from the very edge being exposed between the two boxes.

Additionally you can place a pollen patty on the newspaper before pouring the sugar in. This will be a very important step for hives that may be low on pollen, or have to small of a cluster to reach their pollen stores. Having this additional pollen within reach of the cluster will also make it easier for the cluster to feed larva when the temperatures drop.

It is also important to occasionally check the hive to see if they are in need of more sugar. This is especially important with hives that are low on stores. The bees may eat a large hole in the middle of the pile, and then not be able to reach the sugar when the temperature drops and they have to tighten the cluster. The pile can be patched using a paper towel and additional sugar.

It is safe to open the hive to check the sugar levels on days that are above 20 degrees F, with no or very little wind. However do not open them for more than a few seconds. If you need to patch the pile of sugar, have the paper towel ready and the bag of sugar open before you even open the hive.

It is recommended that you wait until average temperatures drop below flying temps. Placing dry sugar on a hive that does not need it, in warm weather will cause them to carry it out of the hive and dump it. However, if you expect long periods of cold weather, with only the occasionally warm day, they will not be able to haul out enough to cause any harm.

Some have also asked what can be done with all the sugar that is left over in the spring. The first year you will have to get a feel of how much sugar you hives will consume. This will be different for every climate. However if you do have some sugar left over in the spring, you can let the bees haul it out. Alternately you can remove it from each hive into a bucket, then feed it back to your hives in the form of sugar syrup.

Things to remember when using this method:

1. Regular white sugar should be used. Do not used confectioner's sugar. Confectioner's sugar contains corn starch, and can cause dysentery.

2. Make sure no part of the newspaper or paper towel is exposed to the outside air, to avoid wicking of moisture into the hive.

3. Check the sugar levels occasionally, and patch the sugar pile as needed.

4. Don't forget to feed pollen.

Good luck!