Unlike other liquid bee feeds, which must be mixed, liquid bee feed contains binomial and monomial sugars, which stimulate weight gain and feeding. Furthermore, liquid bee feed does not ferment or crystallize, which makes it perfect for feeding your bees at any time of day or night.
Sugar syrup
Using sugar syrup as a liquid bee feed is a simple way to provide a quick source of energy to your bees. Instead of liquefying the crystals, sugar syrup is simply mixed with warm water. The key is to avoid boiling the syrup because this will change the chemical composition of sugar and make it indigestible to bees.
When mixing sugar syrup with water, use a ratio of 1:1. This ratio is easy to remember and works well. A light syrup in the spring will encourage early nectar flow and brood rearing, while a heavy syrup in the fall will help your bees process nectar easier and remove less water. If you’re new to beekeeping, it may take some practice to understand how sugar syrup works and how much to feed your colony.
When feeding your bees, it is important to consider where your sugar syrup will be stored. It should be kept away from the hive at least 100 yards away. Putting the syrup too close will make it difficult for the bees to locate the syrup.
Pollen substitutes
Pollen substitutes are substances that can replace pollen in bee feed. These substances are available in both liquid and dry form. These substitutes are suitable for short-term feeding of bees. Pollen substitutes have the benefit of not containing high fructose corn syrup, which is a limiting nutrient for plants and animals.
Studies have shown that the use of pollen substitutes in bee feed has a positive impact on honey production. Bee colonies with pollen supplementation produce more honey and produce more drawn comb. Moreover, pollen-supplemented colonies do not induce swarming. Beekeepers are encouraged to use pollen substitutes when raising nucleus, split, or package colonies.
Pollen-substitutes contain protein, which is vital to the overall health of the bee. The protein in these products helps the honey bees develop, overwinter, and produce honey. Beekeepers supplement the pollen diet with protein-containing substances in the spring and fall.
