The sugar to water ratio of beekeepers’ syrups varies. New bees are given one part sugar to one part water in the spring. This mimics the thin consistency of nectar, while bees given two parts sugar to one part water will resemble thick syrup. Many beekeepers wonder why the sugar-to-water ratio is so important. While this is a matter of personal choice, here are some guidelines to remember.
Contents
Medicated syrup
Medicated syrup is a nutrient supplement that is usually fed to bees in the fall. Although this supplement can be used anytime, fall feeding is recommended for preventing mite infestations. Feeding the medicated syrup in the spring may help prevent Nosema. However, it is necessary to use this product in the correct ratio. Here are some tips to ensure the safety of your bees and the longevity of your apiaries.
The active ingredient Fumagilin-B is available in a two-gallon bottle, which treats up to 12 colonies with two deep supers. It is a solution that dissolves in water and is then added to one gallon of 2:1 sugar syrup. It is important to remember that the drench must contain the same amount of active ingredient in order to be safe for the bees. This treatment is not recommended for colonies with natural stores.
Spring syrup
One of the reasons honey bees don’t survive the winter is because of a shortage of nutrition. The use of Spring syrup for bees in the spring is somewhat questionable given that the bees will be extra heavy with honey when they winter. So, what should be the best way to provide the bees with this valuable food source? Here are some helpful tips:
Mix sugar and water in the ratio of one part each to one part. In other words, mix by weight. Ensure the sugar crystals dissolve in the water. Add water to the sugar until the desired consistency is reached. The syrup should then be filled into the feeder. In addition, adding spearmint to the syrup prevents mold growth. The mint also works as a dietary supplement for the bees and helps to locate the syrup.
APIVITAL(r) syrup
If you are a beekeeper, you have probably tried APIVITAL(r) syrup. If you haven’t, it’s an excellent choice. The product is a mixture of sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup. You can purchase syrup in bulk directly from the manufacturer, or you can purchase it from a broker. However, keep in mind that syrup prices fluctuate. You can expect to pay between $0.29 and $0.38 per pound, or $3.40 per gallon.
Before beginning feeding your honeybee colony with sugar syrup, make sure you wear a bee veil and take the appropriate precautions. Check for dead bees, too, as this may mean the package was overheated. If the package has been damaged in shipping, contact the package provider. If you do encounter dead bees, you should use a sugar syrup that is free from alcohol. Do not drown your colony; instead, spray it with a spray bottle filled with sugar syrup.
VitaFeed Gold
Using a liquid feed that contains beet extract, molasses, and natural vitamins and minerals, VitaFeed Gold is an excellent choice for honeybees. Its natural ingredients stimulate colony growth while strengthening the hive. The syrup can be used at any time of year, but is most effective during spring and autumn, when the colony is most susceptible to diseases such as dysentery.
Honeybees require a thick sugar syrup to survive the cold winter months. They are fed this syrup after harvesting the honey crop. This allows the colony to build up a winter food supply in the comb. Feeding earlier than this, however, could cause the colony to convert to brood, so you should only do this if there is a threat of starvation.