Bees need about 40 to 60 pounds of honey to make it through the winter in Southern Oregon. Thus, we don't take all of their honey. This is their winter food and it is the healthiest thing for them. But just in case the winter is more demanding than we expect, we make a sugar "candy" using a bit of water and vinegar or lemon to top off their hive. During winter bees will have to maintain the temperature of their hive at around 72 degrees and they will need carbohydrates to do so.