Summertime is when bees need extra nutrition than usual. Dry weather can reduce pollen and nectar sources, so feeding becomes especially crucial during this period.
One simple solution is to offer sugar syrup at various concentrations throughout the year. In spring and summer, use thin syrup to simulate nectar; thicker syrup in fall to boost stores as they near being closed; and sweet paste-like patty in winter and early spring to mimic stored honey.
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Dry Sugar
When bees don’t have enough nectar to sustain themselves, dry sugar can be fed to them for quick energy boost when weather cools and they cannot collect honey.
Dry sugar should be placed in a small container, such as a jar or tin with a push-down lid, and then drilled or punched with 6-8 very small holes so bees can access the syrup easily.
Bees can access syrup through a frame feeder, which is installed inside the hive instead of frames.
Beekeepers have access to various types of dry sugar. Some should be used early spring and summer for helping the bees build comb foundation, while others can be utilized late fall to promote brood production and store up for winter use.
Superfine Sugar
When baking, you may come across recipes that call for superfine sugar (also referred to as bar sugar or caster/castor sugar). This finer variety of granulated sugar is often preferred by bakers for light-textured baked goods.
Make superfine sugar at home using granulated sugar and a food processor. The process takes only minutes, and your newly chopped crystals will work just as well in your recipes as store-bought superfine sugar.
If you’re a beekeeper, supplement feeding your bees with sugar syrup during the summer can help nourish a new colony or ensure an existing one survives tough winters when honey stores are low.
Pollen Substitute
Dry pollen substitute is a protein-rich blend of lipids, minerals and B-complex vitamins that honey bees require when their natural supply of pollen is low. It can either be mixed into patties and fed directly to hives or stored in a bee feeder for collection by bees.
Commercial beekeepers sometimes turn to dry pollen substitute for extra protein and carbohydrates when their colonies need extra nourishment. They may also use it to increase population levels within their hives.
Research into the effects of pollen substitute feeding on bee health is growing, yet many studies fail to include negative controls (colonies not receiving any type of diet) in their designs. This makes comparing different dietary formulations difficult.
Pollen Patties
Pollen patties are a protein supplement that increases brood production, making them an excellent way to help your bees through the busy spring and summer months. When and how often you supplement with patties depends on your region, weather conditions, type of bees, and size of hives.
Placing pollen patties in your hives is a relatively straightforward task. Simply smoke the bees so they’re below the top bars of your brood boxes, then lay the patty over top of one of those frames with its perforated side facing down.
Your hive may need several weeks to finish eating through the patties, so check in once a week and add more as necessary. It is wise to use two patties per hive and keep them stocked until natural pollen becomes available in your area.
Sugar Bricks
Sugar bricks are an easy way to supplement bees’ winter nutrition. They’re a denser version of dry sugar that sticks together and requires no cooking – perfect!
Bees can be placed directly atop the frames above their cluster in the hive, making this method simple to use and requiring no hive entry.
Some beekeepers create a candy board to support sugar feed and contain entrances for bees to get to it. This is more efficient than simply feeding an open feeder at the entrance, as it reduces robbing and keeps bees clustered until you can see your hive again.
