There are various methods available to you when feeding bees; some require less attention while others demand more.
As an example, you could use a jar or plastic bag filled with sugar syrup. A frame feeder, on the other hand, is a larger container the size of a Langstroth frame that sits in your hive and acts as food source for the bees.
Contents
1. Sugar Water
Most beekeepers feed their colonies sugar water until nectar-producing flowers bloom; it’s quick, easy, and effective – plus it encourages comb building in spring!
Some beekeepers employ “frame feeders”, containers that resemble Langstroth frames that sit inside a brood box and contain food for bees. Unfortunately, these costly feeders can be messy to refill and often fall victim to robbing attempts; mason jar or bucket bee feeders provide better alternatives that offer similar functionality and don’t break the bank!
No matter which container is used, it should be securely mounted onto an upturned hive body so that syrup slowly seeps into it instead of running out in front of it. You may wish to supplement with supplements like Honey B Healthy or Pro Health which contain essential oils such as spearmint and lemongrass which stimulate feeding; but do so only as an emergency measure and never as a replacement for honey itself.
2. Pollen Patties
Pollen patties provide healthy adult bees and their offspring with all of the protein and carbs necessary for them to perform their duties in the hive as well as store energy reserves to make it through winter.
This method works well when there is limited natural pollen during spring buildup or limited sources of nectar; however, it’s unnecessary in climates with ample natural pollen throughout autumn and early spring.
Mix brewer’s yeast with pollen until evenly mixed. Stir in sugar syrup until the mixture thickens, and pour into a large bowl or pan that can easily be covered. Use a paint paddle or rolling pin coated in white flour to roll and flatten out this mix, creating multiple large patties that can then be covered and placed back into the hive for faster consumption. Some beekeepers will add feeding stimulants such as Honey-B-Healthy or Pro Health for faster consumption.
3. Honey
Honey is the optimal feed for bees as it contains plenty of essential vitamins and minerals. But to produce just one teaspoon, many bees need to work hard at gathering nectar.
Bees travel around the globe collecting nectar and then returning it to their hives where it can be turned into honey – then using this liquid sweetener to maintain their colonies’ wellbeing.
Honey for bees is especially crucial during spring, as overwintered colonies build their food stores while new packages strive to establish themselves. Conversely, poor foraging conditions in autumn could prevent bees from stockpiling enough honey for use during the coming winter.
Some beekeepers prefer feeding with a 1:1 mix of sugar and water because this mimics the consistency of natural nectar more closely; however, this method can be messy and subject to robbing attacks. Furthermore, bees may pick up contaminants from their environment that cause disease; consequently most beekeepers recommend using frame feeders which are less messy while not encouraging robbing attacks.
4. Beeswax
Under optimal conditions – warm and with plenty of honey left to forage – productive colonies begin making beeswax. The wax-making process is an integral component of their health and well-being; 95 degrees Fahrenheit is considered optimal temperature for creating beeswax molds.
Under inclement conditions or excessive honey harvest, or when flowers become scarcer during times of the year, hives may need additional food sources in their storage facilities to stay alive and well. This is particularly relevant during seasons with minimal flower availability.
Sugar placed directly on a hive mat or tray under the lid is an effective method for feeding bees in emergency situations. A beekeeper may also opt to use a frame feeder, which is more resistant to robbing, by inserting it inside their hive in lieu of an ordinary brood box and featuring grooves or ladders cut into its side that allow bees access to syrup through grooves in it – although not recommended, this technique may help a colony survive when all else has failed.
