Short answer: In fall, beekeepers commonly feed a thick syrup of two parts white cane sugar to one part water by weight, so colonies can store enough food for winter. Feed it while it is still warm enough for bees to take it down, and treat any mite problem separately by following the product label and local guidance.
Why feed bees in fall
A colony going into winter needs roughly all the stores it can build, and a hive that is light in the fall may starve before spring. Feeding is most useful when nectar is scarce (called a dearth) or when the hive’s weight is below what your region needs. Check hive weight and stores before you start. Our post on feeding bees during a dearth covers the same logic.
Fall syrup versus spring syrup
Spring syrup is usually thinner, about equal parts sugar and water, because it stimulates brood rearing. Fall syrup is thicker, about two parts sugar to one part water by weight, because bees can store it with less water to evaporate. Mix it with warm water until the sugar dissolves. You do not need to boil it, and overheating sugar can create compounds that harm bees.
Which sugar to use
Use plain white granulated cane or beet sugar. Brown, raw and powdered sugars contain impurities or additives that can upset bees, as explained in the risks of feeding bees raw sugar. Avoid honey from unknown hives because it can carry disease. A prepared option is described in ambrosia syrup for bees.
When and how to feed
Start early enough that bees can still dry and cap the syrup, usually while daytime temperatures stay mild. Cold weather slows their ability to take syrup down. An internal feeder, such as a hive-top or frame feeder, keeps the syrup warm and reduces robbing by other colonies. Place the feeder where bees can reach it without leaving the cluster, and feed until the hive is heavy enough for your region.
Keeping syrup fresh
Syrup can ferment or grow mold in warm weather, so mix only what the colony will take in a few days and clean feeders between refills. Do not leave syrup in an open container outside the hive, which attracts wasps and robber bees.
Pollen patties are for later
Pollen patties are protein supplements normally given in late winter or early spring to support brood rearing, not as part of fall syrup feeding. Follow the maker’s instructions. If you want to add food in the cold months, a solid option is the sugar board.
What about thymol and mite treatments?
Feeding and mite control are separate jobs. Thymol-based products are registered mite treatments, not feed additives, and they should be used exactly as the label directs and only at the temperatures the label allows. Do not mix treatment products into syrup yourself. For monitoring varroa and choosing a treatment, contact your local beekeeping association or state apiary inspector.
Bottom Line
Feed fall syrup at a 2:1 ratio with white cane sugar, use an internal feeder while it is still mild, and check hive weight to know when to stop. Keep mite treatments separate, follow the label, and ask your local apiary inspector for advice.
