Bees need supplemental food sources throughout the winter months, so beekeepers are encouraged to check their boxes for remaining honey, as well as salvaged capped honey from dying colonies. Bees may also benefit from dry sugar, which can be offered in granulated form on tissue paper or in candy board forms. Winter patties may also be offered. In addition to sugar, bees also benefit from winter candy, such as a special winter mix made of dried fruits.
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Honey
If you’ve read several articles about feeding bees over the winter, you’ve probably noticed the common recommendation for sugar-based supplements. But while sugar-based supplements can be used as bee winter food, they don’t provide the added nutrition and feeding stimulants that honey does. It’s best to provide bees with a nutritionally complete supplement during these times, because this will give them the best chance of surviving. One convenient way to feed bees over the winter is with “Winter Patties” from Dadant & Sons. These patties are formulated to provide the bees with the energy they need during the cold season. They contain pollen substitute and are easy to handle, too.
When the weather is cold, honey is the most important thing a bee colony needs. When the temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you can start feeding them with liquid sugar syrup. The concentration of sugar in the syrup is 2:1. This sugar syrup should not leak over the clusters as it can stress them. The lack of nectar also makes a colony more likely to rob other colonies, so sugar water in the feeders should not be used. During this period, bees require around 75 pounds of honey to survive the winter.
Sugar syrup
In order to feed bees during the cold winter months, they must have more energy than they get from honey alone. Since sugar is a carbohydrate, it is the ideal choice for bee winter food. In fact, some beekeepers use sugar syrup made with a ratio of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water. This mixture is not cooked, so bees can easily digest it without any problems. Generally, bees are fed a gallon of syrup, while others prefer a denser syrup.
The sugar water feeder should be placed about 100 yards away from the hive, as bees cannot easily reach it. You can also place a piece of paper as a protective layer, but keep in mind that physics prevents the sugar water from gushing out. The jar should be placed above the frames, but most beekeepers prefer to place it above the super and frames. Using this method prevents robbers from entering the hive, since the lid is inaccessible to the bees. Despite being a convenient way to feed bees, regular refills of sugar water can cause mold growth.
Hard candy
A beekeeper can feed their colony with hard candy. Using a candy board is a good way to feed bees in the winter. This type of candy board comes in many different forms. Some are made of soft candy, while others are hard. Bees will eat the sugar as they need it. It’s easy to make a candy board with these simple steps. Once you’ve made it, be sure to add some honey or vinegar to it to help prevent mold.
If you’re worried about starvation, hard candy is the best winter food for bees. While the bees will continue to eat honey until it runs out, they’ll also need some sustenance. If you’re looking for a DIY project, a bee candy board is an excellent choice. You can use any ingredients or recipe to create this sweet treat for your bees. You can even talk to your bee mentor to find out which ingredients work best in a given recipe. Bees will love the taste of candy and the added sustenance it offers.
White sugar crystals
In the past, beekeepers have given their hives a steady supply of white sugar crystals in the winter months. The sugar is a good supplement to their winter store, but it can also be a disaster if bees do not have enough honey to last them for the winter. Beekeepers figure the sugar will keep the bees going until the spring when they can feed them with honey again. Interestingly enough, the bees have even been seen to drop these crystals on the ground and then reclaim them.
Bees can consume either simple white sugar crystals or commercially prepared candy during the winter. Using a small spacer in the beehives will make both options work. When using white sugar, beekeepers can use the Mountain Camp Method by placing a strong paper towel over the top bars of the frames. This prevents the sugar from falling through the frames and gives the bees easy access to the sugar.
Dadant & Sons pollen substitute AP23
Dadant & Sons Pollen Substitute AP23 is a protein-based feed that is highly palatable for bees. It contains Honey B Healthy, a proven bee feeding stimulant, and food-grade lemongrass and spearmint oil concentrates. Winter Patties are especially attractive to hungry colonies, and provide the necessary nutrients.
The formulation of pollen substitutes should contain approximately 10% vegetable oil and 50% sugar syrup. The sugar syrup should account for 30 percent of the pollen replacement diet’s weight. The syrup should also be at least 30 percent water. Bees should consume this mixture once a day. This supplement should last for at least 10 days. For best results, add it to the bees’ winter diet a few days before the winter season begins.
