Candy Boards for Honeybees

 A candy board feeder is nothing more than a very shallow super with a bottom. A solution of sugar syrup is cooked until it reaches the "soft ball" stage then it is beaten until stiff and poured into the prepared feeder or pans. 

A common recipe for one candy board is as follows:
- Have 6-8 cups of water on hand.
- Pour 3 cups into the cooking container.
- Keep the rest in reserve for adding later (if needed).
- Slowly add in 16 cups of white sugar, stirring constantly. 
- Boil until the temperature reaches 237 degrees F.

After the mixture reaches 237 degrees F:
- Add 1-2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar to retard mold growth.
- Reduce heat to simmer.
- Stir vigorously and then pour into the candy board.

WARNING: THIS IS EXTREMELY HOT USE CAUTION

Variations:
- Some people like to start with more water, which is fine. It will just take longer to boil away.
- If you want to add Honey-B-Healthy or Pro Health, add about 2 tsp AFTER the mixture stops boiling.
- Some people like to add a pollen substitute, such as Mega Bee or Ultra Bee. If using, add about 1 cup to the mixture. Adding this much dry material will cause the mixture to thicken very quickly. Be prepared to add some water back in to get to a pourable state. The mixture should be somewhat shiny when poured. 

When all ingredients have been added, pour quickly into the prepared candy board or into pans.
​If using pans, you can score the mixture lightly in the pans and break into patties once dry.
Scrape the mixture vigorously as you empty it as it will set up quickly. 


Deodorant Stick Recipe

Ingredients:
  • ¾ oz Beeswax
  • 2 oz Coconut Oil
  • ¾ oz Shea Butter
  • 2 tbs Baking Soda
  • 2 tbs Cornstarch
  • 1/4c Arrowroot Powder
  • Essential oil of choice (10-20 drops)

Instructions: How to Make Deodorant Sticks
  1. Put beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter into a double boiler. Simmer on low until oils are melted totally. Remove from water and add baking soda, cornstarch, and arrowroot. Add essential oil of choice. Mix well. Pour into deodorant tubes. Let sit.

Yields 2

Sugar Scrub Recipe

Sugar Scrub Ingredients:
  • 2 cups sugar (white or brown sugar – preferably organic)
  • ½ cup oil (olive oil and coconut oil work great)
  • Optional: 10-15 drops of essential oil of your preference
  • I added a few drops of Vitamin E Oil (can also add food coloring)

Sugar Scrub Instructions:
  1. Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight jar.
  2. Use 1 teaspoon as needed to wash any rough area. Scrub skin with the mixture and rinse well. It will leave your skin feeling like silk.

Shampoo Bar

Ingredients:
  • 10 oz Coconut Oil
  • 10 oz Vegetable Shortening
  • 10 oz Olive Oil
  • 6 oz Castor Oil
  • 12 oz Distilled Water
  • 5 oz Lye
  • Essential Oil of choice

Instructions: How to Make Shampoo Bars
  1. Heat oils to 125 °F
  2. Combine Lye and distilled water – let cool to 125 °F
  3. Combine oils and lye water and stir by hand for 5 min.
  4. Use a stick blender until it comes to trace.
  5. Put into soap molds.
  6. Let sit for a week before cutting to desired thickness.

Lotion Sticks

Ingredients:
  • 3 oz Beeswax
  • 3 oz Coconut Oil
  • 3 oz Shea Butter
  • Essential Oil of choice 15-20 drops

Instructions: How to Make Lotion Sticks
  1. Measure out each of the ingredients, placing the beeswax and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler. Place the shea butter in a separate bowl.
  2. Melt using a double boiler, gently heat the beeswax and coconut oil over low heat until melted. Remove from heat and carefully add the shea butter. Stir the mixture until the shea butter is thoroughly melted. If needed, gently heat the mixture for an additional minute or two in order to provide enough heat for the shea butter to melt.
  3. Pour the mixture into desired mold or twist up tube (I use deodorant tubes). They can be used as soon as they cool to room temperature.
  4. Rub the lotion bar onto your skin to apply.

Bath Salts

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups Epsom salts
  • 1 cup coarse sea salt
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • Essential Oil of choice 15-20 drops

Instructions: How to Make Bath Salts

Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the essential oils last.

Yields 7 4 oz. jars (2 uses per jar)

Bath Bomb Recipe

  • 1 cup (225 g) shredded beeswax
  • 14 oz (425 ml) coconut oil
  • 5 tbsp. (100 g) honey
  • 5 tbsp. (70 ml) pure vanilla extract

Heat the wax in a saucepan over low heat to 150 °F (66 °C). In a separate saucepan, heat the oil to the same temperature. When both are heated to the proper temperature, add the coconut oil to the beeswax, remove the pan from heat, and stir steadily until well blended. Then add the honey and the vanilla extract and continue to stir until well blended. Pour into tubes or tubs, allow to cool overnight, then cap the containers and store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight.

Lip Balm

  • 8 ounces Baking Soda (1 cup)
  • 4 ounces Citric Acid (1/2 cup)
  • 4 ounces Epsom Salt (1/2 cup)
  • 4 ounces Cornstarch (3/4 cup)
  • 2 Tablespoons Oil of choice (I used Olive Oil – any liquid oil will work)
  • 2 teaspoons of water (If not a good consistency you can add more water)
  • 20-30 drops of essential oil of choice
Instructions: How to Make Bath Bombs ¬
  1. Combine dry ingredients (baking soda, Epsom salt, citric acid, and cornstarch) in a large bowl and mix well until combined.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, water, and essential oil and stir well.
  3. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients a few drops at a time. Mix well with hands (wear gloves if you have sensitive skin).
  4. Mixture should hold together when squeezed without crumbling. You may need to add more water if it hasn’t achieved this consistency yet.
  5. Quickly push mixture into molds, greased muffin tins or any other greased container. Press in firmly and leave at least 24 hours (48 is better) or until hardened. It will expand some and this is normal. You can push it down into the mold several times while it is drying to keep it from expanding too much. Using the metal molds will create a stronger and more effective final bath bomb.
  6. When dry, remove and store in airtight container or bag

Bath bombs are a great way to relax in the tub after a long day of dealing with kids, cooking, and all the other activities that motherhood entails. If you’ve never tried them, I highly encourage it, as it’s one of my favorite things to do at the end of the day.


Recipes provided by Joyce during the November 2019 WLBA Meeting.