Beekeepers sometimes need to supplement their bees’ food with sugar water in times of drought, pests, cold weather or a shortage of honey. This can be an essential dietary supplement for bees during these challenging times.
Sugar water can be made in several ways, the most popular being mixing dry sugar into a percentage of liquid water. These ratios differ according to the season.
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Raw or organic sugar?
If you are a beekeeper and want to give your bees extra energy during winter, feeding them sugar water is an effective solution. Just make sure not to use the wrong type of sugar or add anything else into the solution.
Raw honey is considered the ideal sugar choice for feeding bees, as it provides them with essential vitamins and minerals necessary for their wellbeing. Furthermore, raw honey less likely to cause any digestive issues for bees.
Alternative options for sugar include organic sugar, which is a sucrose-based product with small amounts of molasses added for its golden hue. This sugar has less ash content than cane sugar but still digestible by bees.
Making sugar syrup for bees is easy – simply heat water until almost boiling then add sugar, stirring until thoroughly mixed. For larger batches of syrup, use a container large enough to hold at least five quarts.
Heat the water to almost boiling
Feeding sugar water to honey bees is a popular practice among new beekeepers, as it helps them get established in their new location and provides them with plenty of food when there are no honey supers available for them to feed from.
The ratio of sugar to water varies with the season, but most beekeepers use a 1:1 or 2:1 syrup that mimics nectar. A simple way to prepare it is by mixing equal parts dry granulated sugar and water by weight or volume.
However, using too much heat can denature some essential nutrients for bee health and caramelize sugar, rendering it indigestible and toxic to bees. Thus, make your sugar water in small batches and only give it to bees when they require it – this will keep them healthy and strong while you learn more about beekeeping – then you can decide if this is the right course of action!
Add pollen
Pollen is a fine powdery substance produced by flowering and cone-bearing plants, responsible for the production of male gametes (sperm cells) and fertilization in plants.
Granules are small and lightweight, making them easily transportable by water or wind. Depending on the species, granules may consist of three parts: The central cytoplasmic part transports male gametes; an inner layer contains cellulose similar to an ordinary plant cell wall; and finally, an exine layer made up of sporopollenins which have remarkable durability.
Pollen in syrup is an ideal way to give your honey bees extra protein during the winter. Additionally, it reintroduces carbohydrates back into their diet – essential nutrients for buzzing workers.
Sugar water recipes vary, but one popular combination involves one part sugar to two parts water. This mixture forms a thick syrup which can be used as food when honey stores in the hive are low.
Add essential oils
Essential oils are natural chemical compounds derived from plants. Plants use them to promote their growth and healing, protect themselves against harsh environmental conditions, aid pollination, attract or repel insects and animals alike.
Enhancing honey bee’s sugar water with essential oils is an excellent way to promote their health and survival. A few drops of essential oil can also help the bees feed more effectively, which in turn benefits their overall wellbeing.
Essential oils come in a wide variety of flavors, aromas and potencies – so it’s essential to find one that best meets your specific requirements and preferences. Before using any essential oil, research its botanical name as well as GC/MS (purity) report to guarantee its purity.
