Sugar syrup or artificial nectar is used to facilitate brood rearing and comb building during times when there is not enough natural nectar available, depending on the time of year or other hive management concerns. The ratio of sugar to water may change according to time of year or management needs of your hive.
Ratios are typically measured in terms of weight rather than volume. For instance, 2:1 syrup requires 2 pounds of sugar to one pound of water for proper production.
Contents
1 part sugar to 1 part water
Step one of making sugar syrup involves mixing equal parts granulated sugar and water in a container large enough to hold all of it. Next, heat them on medium heat until simmering but not boiling occurs and stir frequently until all sugar crystals have been completely dissolving before taking off of heat and leaving to cool down naturally.
Light syrups contain equal parts of sugar and water, used early in the spring to stimulate brood production, or after splitting or capture of swarm. They can also help weak colonies that need support during the summer to thrive again; and can serve as the last feeding before winter sets in, to build sufficient honey stores to support overwintering.
Some beekeepers opt for thicker syrup known as 2:1 sugar to water ratio when their honey stores have become depleted, similar to nectar in texture. This provides their bees with access to ample reserves when nectar runs low.
2 parts sugar to 1 part water
Sugar syrup (sometimes referred to as artificial nectar) can help your bees avoid starvation during times when natural food sources become scarce, depending on their colony’s progress and season. Furthermore, sugar syrup helps stimulate brood rearing and the building of comb foundation – especially during spring.
Create the solution in an empty jar or container using two parts white sugar and one part water, heated until nearly boiling so it can dissolve more rapidly. Allow to cool before pouring it into your hive feeder.
This method streamlines both measuring and cleaning up, making feeding your bees simpler than ever. In fact, you could make large batches of syrup in one day to use to feed them the following morning without worrying about wasteful sugar or water use. This recipe works especially well for new beekeepers – providing an excellent starting point until they develop an understanding of their hives’ specific sugar to water ratio requirements.
3 parts sugar to 1 part water
Some beekeepers favor a 2:1 sugar to water ratio for their syrup mix, or high fructose corn syrup, when increasing hive weight during fall months and creating pollen patties and essential oil supplements.
When creating a 1:1 sugar syrup mix, white cane sugar is best because its composition contains no molasses that could make bees less likely to accept it as food.
When making bee food, always use hot but not boiling water as this will allow the sugar crystals to dissolve more easily. Remember not to boil your syrup once sugar has been added as this could cause caramelisation of granules that become indigestible to bees. Before placing in feeder or fondant board (fondant is an excellent way of encouraging more bees into wintering in your yard!). When ready, ensure syrup has completely cooled off before feeding to bees!
4 parts sugar to 1 part water
Make a simple sugar syrup using 4 parts sugar and 1 part water at a ratio of 4:1. Use only white granulated sugar – no brown or confectioner’s varieties as they contain impurities which may lead to dysentery in bees; confectioner’s varieties contain corn starch which should also be avoided for good bee health.
A 1:1 light syrup ratio is ideal for spring breeding to stimulate brood rearing and transitional periods in weak colonies, and also works well during winter feeding due to its reduced water content and thus being less likely to freeze up and cause freezing problems.
Once a 1:1 sugar syrup is created, it can be supplemented with pollen to provide extra protein for bees to consume. This mixture is known as fondant and may be fed directly or through candy boards or patties to bees directly. Furthermore, adding pollen helps deter mites and fungi.
