Depending on their foraging abilities and honey stores, bees may require extra feed. Monitoring their strength and population will help you decide when it’s necessary to start or discontinue providing them with extra sustenance.
In spring and summer months, use a 1:1 sugar water mixture by either volume or weight measurement; during the winter, switch to using a 2:1 sugar syrup solution instead.
Contents
1. Measure the Sugar and Water
Honey bees rely on sugar water if their natural food sources cannot meet their nectar requirements, acting as an alternate source to assist during times of poor foraging conditions or as introduction food for new packages of bees arriving during Spring.
Sugar to water ratio for this supplemental food varies with each season. For instance, during spring and summer beekeepers might utilize a 1:1 mixture, mimicking natural plant nectar. Conversely, some beekeepers prefer using two parts sugar to one part water (or 2:1), usually used when honey stores become low before winter sets in.
No matter the ratio, always prepare sugar water in a clean container in order to avoid fermenting and killing bees. Furthermore, heating the water before adding sugar ensures it dissolves completely and smoothly.
2. Heat the Water
Beekeepers frequently add liquid feed supplements when producing sugar water for their bees in hot weather to promote proper feeding and prevent mold growth in the syrup. This is particularly important when making sugar water batches from scratch.
Sugar water can be easily produced using a standard quart canning jar or any container with an airtight lid, including punching six to eight small holes through its lid with a nail or sharp object to prevent thieves from accessing its sugar when you invert the jar to feed bees.
Some beekeepers prefer making heavy sugar syrup at a ratio of 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water). This type of solution can be used to supplement their beehives’ stores during early spring or winter when pollen supplies may be low; it will still need protein from somewhere, however; to do this easily add several teaspoons of honey B Healthy as a protein source (5).
3. Add the Sugar
Sugar water can help bees get through rough patches more easily. Without being able to forage for food naturally, the hive misses out on essential nutrients; furthermore, honey produced during these times cannot be stored away safely and stored.
Essential oils can also help keep mites and fungus at bay while acting as an attractant for bees. Simply make another batch of 1:1 sugar syrup with lemongrass or spearmint oil mixed in, along with a pinch of lecithin for optimal results.
Some beekeepers believe it’s best to leave bees to their own devices and let nature take its course; however, sometimes this is not possible; if an exhausted bee clings desperately to a flower or seems lethargic it may be dying and these steps won’t save it; however if resting temporarily may give it enough energy boosts to rest and recover more fully.
4. Stir
Sugar water should only ever be used as a supplement, rather than as an alternative source of nutrition for bees. Sugar water can help stimulate wax production necessary for comb building; and also provide additional nourishment as seasons shift and bees store food for winter storage.
Beekeepers frequently employ various ratios of sugar and water when creating their syrup, with 1:1 being the most popular choice. You can measure this with cups or weight; additionally, water should be heated until almost boiling point – although not so hot that bees burn themselves!
Some beekeepers add pollen to sugar syrup in order to introduce protein back into bee diet and prevent robbing. You could also add essential oils like lemongrass or spearmint that repel mites and fungus (5).
