Spring is a time when bees are in need of help. This is especially true when they are attempting to draw out foundation, but even in the absence of nectar, a few weeks of supplemental syrup can be helpful.
Bees prefer liquid sugar water to granules for this type of feed, but the ratio needed varies depending on the season. It is important to know your ratios and make sure the bees are getting what they need.
Contents
How to Make
When you bring in new bees, or if there is a dearth of nectar due to a drought or other factors, it can be helpful to feed them sugar syrup. This keeps them going until nature provides them with honey again.
This is especially true for the first year when they may not have much of a head start and need to get established. Ideally, you should not stop feeding until all the frames are drawn out in each brood box.
To make a batch of syrup, heat the water below a boil and add the sugar. Stir until dissolved and then cool it to room temperature.
Ingredients
If you’re a new beekeeper or have recently purchased a package of bees, spring is the time to start feeding them with sugar syrup. It’s a great way to help them draw out comb to add storage capacity before nectar is available, and it also helps keep them alive until they can collect honey.
It is best to give sugar syrup at the start of the season as the bees are most eager to draw comb, and they need energy to do it. You should regularly check their combs to see how much syrup they’ve stored, and then provide them with more as required to ensure they meet their calorie demands.
Most beekeepers prefer to use liquid sugar water rather than granules, which is easier for the bees to process. Simply heat water on a stove top (don’t boil it), add the sugar and stir until all the crystals are completely dissolved. It’s always important to allow this mixture to cool before giving it to the bees.
Mixing
Feeding bees syrup in spring can be helpful for bolstering honey stores and encouraging brood rearing. However, it’s important to know the proper ratios for feeding a mixture of sugar and water to mimic nectar so that your bees won’t die from it!
Ratios are measured by weight, not volume. For example, a 2:1 mix is two parts sugar to one part water by weight. This ensures that the sugar and water are well mixed, preventing the formation of excess HMF (high maltose).
Storage
When feeding bees syrup in spring it’s important to keep the sugar water cool and don’t let it get too hot or boil it. You’ll also want to store it in clean plastic containers and away from the sun.
One of the best ways to feed feeding bees syrup in spring is to use a frame feeder. These are frames that have a resting area for bees to rest in while they eat the syrup.
The advantage of these types of feeders is that you can see how much the bees are eating and replenish it when they have enough. Internal feeders don’t have that benefit, so you’ll need to open the hive and remove the frame every time you want to add more.
If you decide to use a top feeder, be sure it sits under the inner cover and is closed off from access below. This way, the bees won’t drown if they fall into the syrup.
