Feeding bees in winter is a critical task that could mean the difference between life and death for a colony. But it’s also an integral part of any beekeeper’s routine – even if you don’t have much stored honey to worry about.
It is especially important not to feed liquid feed during cold weather, as bees huddled together won’t break away from their cluster to collect it. Instead, offer dry sugar, fondant or granulated sugar cake set atop frames in a feeder spacer such as Anita’s Beverley Bees Candy Board.
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Sugar Syrup
Sugar syrup can provide an additional food source for bees when they don’t have access to honey or nectar from flowers. It’s especially beneficial for newly installed packages of bees since it encourages wax production necessary for comb building and other beekeeping activities.
Make sugar syrup by stirring together two parts water with one part sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil then stir until all sugar has completely dissolved.
This mixture can also be flavored with essential oils for an irresistible edible treat that keeps mites and fungi away. Lemongrass or spearmint oil work especially well in this regard.
Another option for feeding bees is using an upside-down tin or mason jar feeder inside the hive. This will drip sugar syrup down onto the bees, and you can cover the container with mesh at the bottom for extra protection.
Liquid Feed
Liquid feed is an effective way for bees to get essential carbohydrates and protein during the wintertime when their honey stores are low. It may also be utilized to boost hive population in the fall before they need to begin winter preparations for a long, harsh winter ahead.
Beekeepers may feed their bees a combination of sugar syrup, candy and fondant for nutrition. If they choose to feed liquid syrup, it should be discontinued before daytime temperatures drop below 57 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
When making fondant or sugar crystals, it’s best to place a paper towel over the top bars of the hive in order to prevent sugar from falling through the frames – this technique is known as “Mountain Camp Method”.
If your hive is located in a cold climate where syrup may freeze even inside of it, switching from liquid syrup to solid sugar board is recommended. To do this, place an insert spacer over top bars of the hive for ventilation.
Sugar Cakes
Bees that cannot find pollen or nectar outside their hive must eat more during wintertime. You can provide them with various wintertime foods like sugar syrup or homemade sugar cakes for extra sustenance.
Bees may benefit from a protein supplement that replaces pollen proteins, potentially stimulating brood production. Some beekeepers combine different proteins for maximum effectiveness.
Another way to provide bees with additional protein is to mix pollen substitute with sugar syrup. This will give them the essential building blocks needed for their comb and allow them to store honey during fall and winter.
Making a simple sugar cake requires just two ingredients: granulated sugar and water. This recipe may differ slightly between beekeepers, but the goal is to create an airy mixture that can sit inside your hive for convenient feeding.
Winter Patties
Winter patties are a food supplement beekeepers use to sustain their colony during prolonged cold and wet weather. Made up of sugar, pollen substitutes and oil, these treats keep bees fed during these trying times.
Bees require both protein and carbohydrates for a balanced diet. Combining these two nutrients helps promote brood rearing success.
Additionally, pollen patties encourage the queen to lay more eggs. Beekeepers looking to build a large colony may use pollen patties in the springtime in order to boost brood production.
However, pollen patties should not be used in late fall or winter as the bees will consume the pollen too soon and may not have enough reserves left to withstand cold temperatures.
Beekeepers can try fondant, which is a solid form of sugar that bees can readily consume and digest. Plus, it contains water to help them survive during the cold winter months.
