You can feed your bees during the early spring by using a variety of different foods. The main types of food include honey and pollen, which are rich in protein. You can also feed them sugar water or pure potato starch. These are all safer alternatives than honey and pollen. In addition, the temperatures are still low enough to make feeding difficult. Cold temperatures make it necessary to carefully inspect the dead colony before feeding them.
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Pollen is an important source of protein
Bees collect pollen for protein, which contains varying amino acids. Some pollen types contain more amino acids than others, which may be important for colony nutrition. In natural habitats, it is relatively easy for bees to find the right pollen for their needs. But in urban areas, pollen may be scarce or not available in sufficient amounts. This could result in reduced life spans, reduced resistance to disease, and poor foraging ability.
Starch syrup
Beekeepers may be wondering whether or not it’s necessary to feed bees with a starch syrup in early spring. The answer is “yes!” But how do you know if you should feed them with sugar syrup? Besides its cost, light syrup is better for the bees’ health, and it saves them from the trouble of foraging for nectar. But remember: you must clean the feeders between feedings!
Pure potato starch
Potatoes contain a special type of starch that bees like to feed on in early spring. This starch is resistant to digestion and helps the beneficial bacteria in the gut thrive. It’s a carbohydrate, rich in sugar, and plants use starch as a source of energy. You can feed your bees raw or cooked potatoes to give them a quick source of energy.
Sugar water
Honey bees sometimes need a food supplement during late winter and early spring. They typically get their food from pollen, nectar, and honey, but during late winter, they need an additional source of carbohydrates. Feeding them with syrupy sugar water can help them survive until blooms return in spring. By feeding them during early spring, you can help them get off to a great start next year.
Nectar dearths
What do you do if the flowering season isn’t producing a sufficient supply of nectar for honeybees? While beekeepers cannot control the weather and can’t force flowers to produce more nectar, they can prepare for an early spring nectar dearth. When harvesting honey, don’t completely empty the hive. Leave a small amount of honey in the hive to provide for the colony’s needs.
High-protein supplements
Beekeepers use high-protein supplements to provide their bees with the nutrients they need in the early spring. Beekeepers often make their own protein supplements with sugar, soy flour, and brewer’s yeast. However, it’s easier and more convenient to buy a product that is already made. Buying a premade product takes the guesswork out of selecting the right ingredients.
External feeders
Putting in external bee feeders in the early spring can help keep the bees’ hives healthy and productive. You can also use entrance feeders, which are simple and easy to use. These are placed in the entrance of the hive and filled with sugar water. It is not advisable to place medications in the entrance feeder, as the sunlight can weaken their effects. The entrance feeder jars aren’t large, so you will have to monitor them regularly. They may need to be refilled daily.