Many beekeepers feed surplus honey back to their colonies during times of scarcity. This helps the bees stay alive during this period and gives them a boost when nectar returns in the springtime.
The amount of supplemental feeding a beekeeper provides depends on the brood rearing activity and nutritional needs of their colony, as well as the quantity and quality of pollen and nectar available to them.
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Dos and Don’ts
If your bees have an abundance of honey, feeding it back to them could be beneficial. Doing this helps the colonies survive periods of nectar scarcity and prepares them for spring and summer activities.
When feeding surplus honey to bees, the ideal timing is in late Fall or early Winter when they are building up stores for winter survival. During this period, bees draw from their honey stores stored within their wax cells.
Another good reason to feed surplus honey is when a new package of bees arrives on the scene. Without their drawn beeswax comb, food stores or brood to build up their hive, feeding surplus honey can help ensure successful reproduction in your colony.
Beekeepers may encounter this issue when they purchase bees in a package or encounter an influx of colony swarms. Either scenario could result in inadequate hive buildup and weak or failing bees.
Time of Feeding
When bees forage in warm temperatures, they often collect more nectar than they can store for winter. This may leave a deficit in honey storage and leave the bees starving.
When this occurs, feeding sugar syrup to the bees may be necessary. You can either use plain table sugar or create a dense syrup by mixing two parts granulated sugar with one part water (known as 2:1 ratio).
Bees require carbohydrates in order to produce wax, as well as protein for building comb and rearing brood.
Bees in a new hive must build up lots of comb to survive. Feeding them sugar water during these trying times helps them get through these challenging periods while building up reserves of fuel for the long haul.
Ingredients
Bees feed on nectar and pollen produced by flowering plants during the spring and summer, providing them with their primary source of carbohydrates for life and work.
Bees also need protein for brood production, so they must ingest sources such as pollen and honey in addition to nectar.
Sugar syrup is a supplemental food for bees that they can consume. This syrup is prepared using either a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of sugar to water; the latter being stronger for when honey stores in the hive are low.
When feeding sugar syrup to bees, the amount needed depends on your colony and season. Be careful not to overfeed, as this could create a weaker hive that won’t survive winter.
Storage
When feeding honey back to bees, it’s wise to store it in an airtight container. Doing this prevents ants from discovering it and taking some of the nectar back with them to their colony.
Additionally, keep your stored honey away from direct sunlight to preserve its color and prevent oxidization.
Another way to store your honey is in a glass jar with a lid. This prevents it from oxidizing and allows you to easily see if the honey has crystallized.
For optimal storage of honey, store it at room temperature in a cupboard or kitchen pantry. This is the simplest way to do it and will guarantee your honey stays at optimal freshness.
