If you want to feed sugar water to your bees in fall, there are a few things you should know. Various recipes are available, and the concentration is important, as is the type of sugar. You can also give your bees Thymol or Pollen patties to increase their appetites. Read on to learn about some tips and tricks to feed your bees. You’ll be glad you did when you see the benefits!
Contents
Feeding bees sugar water in the fall
Fall is a perfect time to start feeding bees sugar water. The syrup should be thicker than spring syrup, more like honey. Fall sugar water is a better choice for nectar-dependent bees because the crystallized sugar will be more difficult to evaporate from the water. Bees are less likely to ignore the syrup if temperatures drop below 10°C. To make sugar water, mix equal parts of sugar and water in a wide jar.
Bees need a higher carbohydrate source for the winter. Despite what you might think, sugar is actually a carb that can help them keep up their energy levels. Sugar water can be a temporary solution while the bees wait for better conditions for foraging. You can use white sugar or even brown sugar. Just make sure not to boil it as it will change its chemical composition, making it indigestible for them.
Methods of preparing sugar water
Beekeepers prepare sugar water for their bees in fall to feed the bees. Sugar water is essential to the bees in order to produce honey. Once pollen has gathered in the hive, they will not need to feed on sugar water. Beekeepers should ensure that the alternative feed is properly insulated to prevent the water from heating up. In addition to feeding the bees sugar water, beekeepers can use it to establish a new hive and rear a new queen.
The syrup for fall is thicker than the spring version, which is similar to honey. This consistency helps the bees store food for the winter. It also helps them dehydrate easily. To prepare sugar water, heat the water. The crystals of sugar are broken down when it comes in contact with the water, making it easier for bees to eat. You should place the feeder at least 100 yards from the hive. Bees have difficulty locating sugar water syrup if it’s too close to the hive.
Pollen patties
When it’s time to give sugar water to bees, you can use pollen patties to provide supplemental nutrition. These patty-like treats should be provided to the bee colony in early spring or late winter when the bees have run out of honey. If nectar flow is slow to begin, pollen patties can be given to the bees before they go to work on building comb. Pollen patties are also good for boosting the brood production and establishing a strong hive population.
When choosing pollen patties, make sure that the mixture contains at least 10% vegetable oil and 50% sugar syrup. The syrup should account for about 30% of the total weight of the patties. The mixture should be moist and sticky. After it is mixed, place the patties on a flat surface. Let the mixture stand for a couple of hours. During this time, your bees will gather together and will be attracted to the sugar water.
Thymol
A solution of thymol can be made by dissolving thirty grams of the crystals in 150 ml of isopropyl alcohol. A honey jar with a wide neck works well, because the spoon can easily remove a small amount. The concentration of thymol is extremely high, so a small amount goes a long way. It is best to use a container that can hold several teaspoons.
A previous study involving thymol and resveratrol-treated candies found no difference in the bees’ feed intake. The dosage and duration of treatments differed. Bees fed the syrup ate twice as much as those fed the candies. Both treatments contained equal amounts of syrup and ad libitum water. Thymol was also effective against tracheal mites.
Surgical spirit
If you’re planning to feed your bees this autumn, surgical spirit can help. Sugar syrup can be mouldy if it has not been properly prepared. To prevent mould and prevent the sugar from going bad, add a teaspoon of thymol to the sugar syrup. This ingredient dissolves well in surgical spirit, and also protects your bees from bacteria. You can buy this solution in a grocery store or even make it yourself.
