Bees play an important role in ecosystems, and their diet is a topic of interest, particularly when natural food sources are scarce. A common question is whether bees can consume sugar and if it is a suitable substitute for their natural diet. Understanding bee nutrition is important for supporting healthy bee populations. This article explores the natural eating habits of bees and the considerations involved in providing supplemental sugar.
Understanding a Bee’s Natural Diet
Honey bees consume nectar and pollen, which they collect from various flowering plants. Nectar provides carbohydrates, their main energy source. Bees convert nectar into honey, which they store for future consumption, especially during periods when flowers are not abundant. Pollen, on the other hand, is a source of protein, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, essential for growth, development, and royal jelly production. Worker bees collect pollen using specialized structures on their legs, transporting it to the hive where it is mixed with honey and enzymes to create “bee bread,” the hive’s primary protein source.
Reasons for Supplemental Feeding
Beekeepers feed sugar to bees in several circumstances to ensure colony survival and health. One common reason is during a nectar dearth, when natural nectar-producing flowers are scarce due to environmental factors like drought or seasonal changes. Supplemental feeding is also common in late summer or autumn to help colonies build sufficient food stores for winter, especially if honey has been harvested. New colonies or packages of bees often require sugar syrup to stimulate comb building and brood rearing, aiding establishment. Sugar feeding can also be necessary in emergency situations, such as when a colony’s stores run low during poor weather.
Safe Methods for Sugar Feeding
Using the correct sugar type and preparation method is important to avoid harm. Plain white granulated sugar, pure sucrose, is the preferred choice because nectar is predominantly sucrose. Cane or beet sugars are suitable as they are chemically identical. To prepare sugar syrup, combine white granulated sugar with warm (not boiling) water until the sugar fully dissolves. Common ratios include 1:1 (sugar to water by weight or volume) for stimulating spring growth or emergency feeding, and 2:1 for building winter stores.
The syrup should cool to room temperature before being offered to bees. Various feeder types can be used:
Entrance feeders
In-hive frame feeders
Hive-top feeders
Baggie feeders
Internal feeders generally reduce the risk of robbing from other colonies. For winter feeding in cold climates, solid sugar options like candy boards or dry sugar can be placed inside the hive. Avoid brown sugar, raw sugar, or powdered sugar containing cornstarch, as these contain impurities or additives difficult for bees to digest and may cause dysentery. Honey from unknown sources should also be avoided due to the risk of transmitting diseases like American Foulbrood.
Potential Downsides of Sugar Feeding
While beneficial, supplemental sugar carries potential risks for bee health and colony dynamics. Sugar syrup, unlike natural nectar and pollen, lacks the diverse proteins, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients bees require for optimal health. Relying heavily on sugar can lead to nutritional deficiencies, making colonies more susceptible to diseases and weakening their vigor. Feeding sugar syrup can also attract pests such as yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets, and encourage robbing behavior among bee colonies.
Robbing occurs when stronger colonies attack weaker ones to steal food stores, which can lead to fighting, deaths, and even the demise of the robbed colony. Spilling syrup or open feeding outside the hive increases this risk. Another concern is the potential for disease transmission. If sugar syrup or honey from unknown origins is fed, it can introduce pathogens, such as American Foulbrood spores, into healthy hives. This can result in widespread infection and losses for beekeepers.