Beekeepers create sugar syrup to provide their colonies with extra carbohydrates that will boost comb building, stimulate brood rearing in springtime and assist weak colonies during hot summers.
Sugar syrup may be fed using upside-down jars over the hive entrance or plastic bags with slits hung from wooden risers in order to provide ample bee space, depending on their needs. The ratio used depends upon their needs.
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Feeders
Feeding colonies sugar syrup is an integral part of beekeeping practice, whether to promote colony growth, sustain them during periods of dearth or build winter stores. There are various feeding techniques for colonies; each has their own set of benefits and drawbacks.
Entrance feeders are relatively straightforward systems, consisting of a feeding tray that slips into the hive entrance and an inverted syrup container positioned outside of it, so bees can access their sweet treat without needing to open their hive door. Beekeepers must constantly monitor syrup levels in the feeders, and refill when necessary.
Internal top feeders provide another means of providing bees with nourishment, with a large container that fits snugly inside a brood box and closes securely to prevent access from below. Bees must use the space beneath to access their syrup supply – this may attract unwanted visitors such as ants or robber bees; furthermore, any slight differences in level will cause this feeder to drip and leak onto its surroundings, thus potentially harming bees’ health.
Ingredients
Beekeepers utilize various recipes for sugar syrup that beekeepers use. The basic components include water and sugar; in addition, many add essential oils designed to encourage bees to store the syrup while simultaneously protecting them from varroa mites.
Beekeepers typically follow a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar (measured either by volume or weight), creating a light syrup for use when there are insufficient stores of honey to feed winter bees. This light syrup stimulates comb building while providing winter food supplies when nectar levels decline.
Other beekeepers prefer making more dense syrup at 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water) in order to add weight to hives during fall and winter seasons or when nectar flow has been low during summer and early autumn months. This method provides additional weight in these cases.
Some add soy lecithin granules as an emulsifier and help prevent crystallization of their sugar syrup. Others add lavender oil which may help prevent the presence of Varroa mites.
Preparation
When making honey syrup for bees it is crucial that the solution does not boil, as doing so would produce an ingredient known as hydroxymethylfurfural which can be toxic to them as well as cause the sugar crystallize at room temperature.
Heat the syrup until just short of boiling, remove from heat, stir well to dissolve sugars evenly, and allow mixture to cool before feeding it to bees.
Some beekeepers opt for a heavier sugar solution such as 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water). This approach can help stimulate brood rearing or nectar flow and boost honey stores during the winter months.
This type of syrup should be administered via a feeder situated above the cluster so that moisture-laden warm air rising from bee respiration can condense on it and dissolve it, although if your feeder tray is too shallow a riser may need to be added for maximum efficiency.
Storage
Sugar syrups are typically prepared using two distinct ratios depending on the season: light syrup (1:1 sugar-to-water ratio) is best utilized during spring for encouraging brood rearing and building up stores; heavy syrup (2 parts sugar-1 part water ratio) can help colonies add weight before winter sets in.
Before feeding sugar syrup to a colony, it must be fully dissolved. This can be accomplished by heating water on a stove (do not boil!) and mixing in sugar. Furthermore, adding some pollen may help restore protein back into their diet (6).
Do not place the syrup directly at the entrance to your hive; this invites robbers, creates a mess inside, and can cause freezing-over issues. Instead, place the syrup in an outside feeder such as an upside down mason jar or tin can with holes punched through its lid.
