Mary asked about HFCS (high fructose corn syrup). When and how to feed. HFCS should be fed (1) anytime the bees need feed to sustain brood production or when the bees do not have enough food for the winter (2) when the beekeeper wishes to create an 'artificial flow' to stimulate the bees earlier than by waiting for a normal flow. WHENEVER FEEDING BEES SYRUP, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE FED POLLEN OR POLLEN SUPPLEMENT. (There are some exceptions to this, but the conditions are unusual and hobbyists will best serve their bees if they ALWAYS feed pollen or pollen supplements whenever they feed syrup.) The three easiest and best ways to feed, in order: 1. The new hive top Styrofoam feeder offered by Betterbee. (800-632-3379) 2. Gallon glass or plastic jugs upended and on top of 1/4" to 1/2" pieces of wood laid on the top bars. Surround the jugs with an empty hive body. 3. A sealed gallon-size heavy duty plastic bag filled with HFCS, laid on the top bars, with a few holes punched in the top. HFCS is ALWAYS far superior to honey, as it does not contain honey's normal impurities that they digestive system has to handle. Sugar Syrup (1:1 or 2:1) can be substituted for HFCS, but it is messy to prepare and 2:1 is very difficult for a hobbyist to prepare. For more information, read one of the several excellent general purpose books on beekeeping. Hope this helps. Lloyd Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, manufacturer of comb honey equipment for beekeepers and Sundance pollen traps. http://www.rossrounds.com [log in to unmask]