Unfortunately, some beekeepers will feed their wild bees for various reasons, whether the colony has run out of food stores or its strength is low.
It is common for beekeepers to offer their bees sugar water during times of hardship, but this should only be used as an emergency measure. Natural sources of nectar and pollen provide essential nutrients for our bees which cannot be replaced by sugar water alone.
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Bee Food
Wild bees, both honey bees and native bees, feed on a variety of different foods. Pollen and nectar are their two primary sources of nutrition, along with some fruit and vegetables for additional variety.
Bees collect their food during the spring, summer and fall from flowers that bloom nearby. Some of this food is stored as honey for storage during winter and spring when flowers aren’t blooming.
Bees consume honey during winter to not only generate heat, but it also gives them energy so they can fly miles to collect more nectar for the coming year. Sugar water, on the other hand, does not provide them with the same benefits that natural sources of nectar and pollen provide.
Sugar water can be a beneficial solution when flowers are scarce or weather conditions are poor, but should only be used sparingly to avoid harming bees. It should not be used long term as it may cause issues for your bees and may contain hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
Bee Feeders
In times of limited natural resources, bee feeders can provide extra food and nutrition for wild bees. This is especially helpful during winter months when bees often struggle to find enough food sources.
When selecting a bee feeder, there are numerous options to choose from. Each has its advantages and drawbacks, so it is essential that you pick one that meets your individual requirements.
Internal Hive Top Feeders
This type of bee feeder is a popular option among beekeepers due to its security against invasion. They come in various sizes and fit on top of the brood box just beneath the hive cover, providing easy access for workers.
Pail Feeders
A pail feeder is an extremely simple bee feeder, consisting of a sugar water solution placed in a bucket. It’s user-friendly and requires no special equipment for setup.
Bee Pollination
Bees are essential in the growth of flowers and plants, as they help transfer pollen from one flower to the next.
Bees that land on flowers use electrostatic forces to attract pollen grains with their body hairs. To collect it, they use specialized brushes or pockets on their legs, bodies or mouthparts in order to collect it and take it back home for their nest.
Some bees even generate an electrical charge when they pick up pollen, helping it adhere better to their body hairs and making transport from the flower easier.
Pollination is essential for many crops, such as apples, melons, cranberries, pumpkins, squashes and other vegetables that we consume. In fact, about one-third of America’s food supply relies on crops pollinated by honey bees or other pollinators for production.
Bee Health
Feeding wild bees is an effective way to provide them with food and shelter. Planting flowers in tubs or pots or creating wooden insect hotels are simple ways to attract bees and provide them with nourishment.
Honey provides bees with natural carbohydrate-based nutrition, helping them remain strong. Furthermore, it’s an excellent source of protein and essential vitamins.
However, if honey is not harvested from disease-free bee colonies, it could contain spores of American foulbrood, a parasitic fungus. If left unchecked in the hive, this illness has the potential to spread throughout its population and cause major issues.
The USDA is engaged in a number of research projects to improve bee health. Their scientists study honey bee diseases, parasites and genetics as well as how best to control them. Furthermore, ARS collaborates with other Federal agencies, state departments of agriculture and universities on projects that further enhance bee welfare.
