HiveAlive Fondant Patties for Nucs - 1.5 & 3.5 lb

Product Overview

HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty for Supplemental Honey Bee Feeding

Compact fondant in 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb sizes for nucs and smaller colonies

The HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty is a solid supplemental carbohydrate feed designed for nucs and smaller honey bee colonies. Available in 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb sizes, it provides an accessible reserve when stored honey is limited, cold weather makes syrup feeding impractical, or the cluster may have difficulty reaching distant stores.

At Lappe's Bee Supply, we generally recommend evaluating colony weight and available stores before a cold period rather than automatically feeding every nuc. A nuc, short for nucleus colony, is a smaller honey bee colony housed in a compact hive, typically with fewer frames than a full-size hive. Nucs are commonly used for starting new colonies, making splits, raising queens, or overwintering smaller colonies.

When a nuc is light or its reserves are questionable, placing fondant where the bees can readily reach it can provide supplemental feed before the colony reaches an emergency stage. Choose between the two sizes based on the reserve you want to provide, how often you want to replenish it, and the vertical clearance available above the frames.

At a Glance

Product Detail	1.5 lb Patty	3.5 lb Patty
Weight	1.5 lb	3.5 lb
Approximate Dimensions	9.1" long × 7.1" wide	8.7" long × 7.1" wide
Best Suited For	Smaller nucs, mating nucs, late-season colonies, and situations where a compact feed reserve is appropriate	Nucs and smaller colonies that need a larger feed reserve or fewer feed-replacement visits
Clearance	Lower-profile option that requires less space above the frames	Thicker patty that may require additional clearance above the frames

Key Features and Practical Benefits

Two nuc-focused sizes: Available in 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb patties to fit different feeding needs and hive configurations.
Solid supplemental feed: Fondant can remain accessible during cold periods when syrup feeding is not appropriate.
HiveAlive formulation: The manufacturer states that the fondant contains the HiveAlive formulation with seaweed extracts, lemongrass, and thyme oil, along with added vitamins and amino acids.
Flexible seasonal use: The patties can be used for supplemental or emergency feeding in autumn, winter, late winter, early spring, and during spring cold snaps when colony stores warrant feeding.

Which Size Should You Choose?

The main difference between the 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patties is the amount of reserve provided and the space the patty requires. Colony condition and management goals matter more than simply matching one patty size to every nuc of a particular size.

Choose the 1.5 lb Nuc Fondant Patty when:

You want a smaller, compact feed reserve.
You are feeding a smaller nuc or mating nuc.
A late-season colony needs supplemental feed without a larger reserve.
Available vertical clearance is limited.

Choose the 3.5 lb Nuc Fondant Patty when:

A nuc or smaller colony needs a larger supplemental reserve.
You want to reduce how frequently another patty may need to be added.
You have enough vertical clearance above the frames or can add a suitable shim.

The 3.5 lb patty is thicker, so confirm your hive can close correctly before choosing this size. When more space is needed, Lappe's recommends the Super Tall Bee Hive Shim, which provides 1-1/4" of additional height and may provide you with enough additional space.

Is This Fondant a Good Choice for Full-Size Colonies?

For a standard full-size colony, consider our HiveAlive 2.2 lb Fondant Patty as an alternative. The 1.5 lb and 3.5 lb Nuc Fondant Patties are especially suited to nucs and smaller colonies where their size and feed amount fit the feeding setup.

What Is Included?

One HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty in the selected 1.5 lb or 3.5 lb size
Protective plastic wrapper surrounding the fondant

Hive equipment is not included. Additional clearance equipment, such as the Super Tall Bee Hive Shim, is separate when your hive configuration requires it.

When to Consider Supplemental Fondant

Fondant is especially useful when a nuc is light, stored honey is limited, or cold weather may prevent the cluster from reaching honey elsewhere in the hive. Light late-season nucs and colonies entering an extended cold period with questionable reserves are stronger candidates for proactive feeding.

How to Place the HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty

Choose the 1.5 lb or 3.5 lb size and confirm that adequate vertical clearance is available.
Cut an opening approximately 3" wide in the wrapper.
Position the opening so the bees can readily access the fondant.
During cold-weather feeding, place the fondant directly above the cluster whenever practical.
Depending on the hive configuration, position the patty over the inner-cover or crownboard opening or directly over the brood frames or top bars.
Close the hive and confirm that the patty is not being compressed or displaced.

Feeding instructions are based on HiveAlive’s manufacturer guidance, with additional notes from Lappe’s Bee Supply.

Lappe's Apiary Note: Placement Matters in Cold Weather

Honey remaining somewhere in a nuc is not necessarily accessible to the bees during prolonged cold. The winter cluster may be unable to move far enough to reach distant stores, so we prefer to position supplemental fondant directly above the cluster where the bees can reach it more readily.

When the thicker 3.5 lb patty needs additional room, our preferred setup is to place the fondant above the cluster, install the Super Tall Bee Hive Shim above the hive body, and reinstall the inner and outer covers above the shim.

Storage and Product Condition

Store unused HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patties in a cool, dry location. Refrigeration and freezing are not required. Avoid prolonged storage above approximately 85°F, and use the product before the expiration date printed on the package. The published shelf life is two years.

Feed products have a defined expiration date, printed on the package at the time of manufacturing, and may not have the full published shelf life remaining at the time of purchase. If you plan to order feed well in advance of when you expect to use it, Lappe's Bee Supply recommends contacting us before ordering to confirm the expiration dates of our current inventory. Feed remaining after its printed expiration date is not eligible for refund or replacement.

If an opened patty is not completely used, rewrap it tightly to reduce drying. During feeding, keep the original wrapper in place except for the feeding opening.

What should fresh fondant feel like?

Lappe's considers a fresh HiveAlive Fondant Patty to have a soft, dense, pliable sugar-fondant consistency that holds its shape. Some firmness variation is normal with temperature, so a properly sealed patty that feels firmer when cold is not automatically deteriorated.

Wet product, mold, foreign material, abnormal discoloration, heavy contamination, or substantial drying associated with compromised packaging are reasons to stop and evaluate the product before feeding it.

What to Expect After Placement

Consumption varies with colony size, available honey stores, temperature, brood-rearing demand, and the duration of cold weather. For that reason, Lappe's does not use a fixed number of days for replacing a fondant patty.

Inspect the remaining amount and condition instead. A clean, usable patty can remain in place while the bees are consuming it. When it is nearly consumed and the nuc still needs supplemental feed, replace it or add another appropriate patty.

Important Expectations and Limitations

Supplemental fondant does not guarantee colony survival or successful overwintering.
Colony outcomes remain affected by colony strength, available stores, queen condition, mite and disease pressure, weather, brood-rearing demand, feed placement, and other management conditions.
Supplemental feeding does not replace evaluation of the colony's overall condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty size should I choose?

Choose the 1.5 lb patty for a smaller reserve or when hive space is limited. Choose the 3.5 lb patty when a larger reserve and fewer replenishment visits are preferred. Confirm adequate clearance for either feeding setup.

Does every nuc need fondant before cold weather?

No. Evaluate colony weight and available stores first. A well-provisioned nuc may not need fondant, while a light nuc with questionable reserves may benefit from supplemental feed.

Should I remove the entire plastic wrapper before feeding?

No. Leave the wrapper on and cut an opening approximately 3" wide for the bees to access the fondant. Keeping most of the wrapper in place helps reduce drying.

Where should I place the fondant in cold weather?

Whenever practical, place the fondant directly above the cluster so the bees can reach it without having to move far from the cluster during cold weather.

How often should I replace a HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patty?

Replace or add fondant according to consumption, condition, and the colony's continuing need rather than a fixed calendar interval. Consumption varies with colony size, available stores, temperature, brood rearing, and the duration of cold weather.

Is a firm fondant patty still usable?

Usually. Cold temperatures can make fondant feel firmer. Check the wrapper and product condition for substantial drying, contamination, mold, or other deterioration.

How should unused HiveAlive Nuc Fondant Patties be stored?

Store unused patties in a cool, dry location and avoid prolonged temperatures above approximately 85°F. Refrigeration and freezing are not required. Keep the wrapper intact, tightly rewrap opened unused fondant, and use the product before the printed expiration date.

HiveAlive Fondant Patties for Nucs & Small Bee Hives - 1.5 lb & 3.5 lb