Supplemental feeding with sugar water is common for managed honeybee colonies when natural nectar sources are unavailable. This carbohydrate-rich liquid substitutes for nectar, providing energy for colony function and survival. Beekeepers use this method primarily to assist newly established hives (packages or nucs) in initial comb-building. It also prevents starvation during a seasonal nectar dearth or prepares the colony for winter. Understanding the correct timing and preparation is necessary to support colony health without causing harm or adulterating future honey harvests.
Determining the Need and Timing for Feeding
The decision to feed is linked to the colony’s immediate needs, dictating the timing and the required syrup concentration. Beekeepers utilize a thinner sugar concentration, known as 1:1 syrup, in the spring to encourage rapid population growth. This mixture closely resembles natural nectar, stimulating the queen to lay eggs and workers to draw new wax comb. The bees consume this feed immediately for energy rather than storing it long term.
A 2:1 ratio is reserved for late summer and fall to build up winter stores. This higher concentration requires less effort for the bees to process and evaporate, allowing more efficient storage. Feeding must cease when a strong natural nectar flow begins, as bees prefer nectar over sugar water, and continuing to feed risks contaminating the honey harvest. If liquid feeding is necessary late in the year, it should stop once daytime temperatures consistently fall below 50 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit. At colder temperatures, bees cannot efficiently process the cold liquid, requiring a switch to solid feed like fondant.
Preparing the Sugar Solution and Ratios
The sugar solution must be prepared using only pure white granulated cane or beet sugar, which is nearly 100% sucrose. Avoid brown sugar, powdered sugar, or any sugar substitutes, as they contain indigestible solids like molasses or cornstarch. Consumption of these solids can cause dysentery, especially during winter when bees are confined and cannot take cleansing flights. Corn syrup should also be avoided, as it may contain high levels of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a compound toxic to bees that forms when high-fructose sugars are exposed to heat.
The 1:1 ratio (one part sugar to one part water) is used for stimulative spring feeding and is generally measured by weight. The heavier 2:1 ratio, used for winter preparation, is two parts sugar to one part water by weight. Warm water can be used to dissolve the sugar, but the solution must never be boiled, as high heat quickly creates HMF, rendering the feed harmful. The safest method is to warm the water, remove it from the heat source, and stir the granulated sugar until completely dissolved.
Selecting and Placing Feeding Equipment
Equipment choice is based on the colony’s needs, the season, and capacity. Internal feeders are safer as they contain the syrup scent inside the hive, reducing the risk of robbing. Frame feeders (division board feeders) are reservoirs shaped like a hive frame that sit inside the brood box, keeping feed close to the cluster. However, these require opening the hive for refilling, which can be disruptive to the colony.
Top feeders, which are large troughs or inverted buckets placed above the inner cover, offer the highest capacity and are easiest to refill with minimal hive disturbance. They are favored for large-volume fall feeding. External feeders, such as entrance feeders, use an inverted jar that plugs into a tray at the hive entrance, making it easy to monitor the syrup level. However, their placement outside the hive makes them highly susceptible to attracting robber bees from other colonies.
All reservoir-style feeders require a mechanism (floats, textured screens, or ladders) inside the container. This provides a safe surface for bees to land and access the liquid without drowning.
Preventing Robbing and Spoilage
The strong scent of sugar syrup can attract bees from other colonies, a behavior known as robbing. This can escalate into a fight that may destroy a weaker colony. To mitigate this risk, use internal feeding methods and avoid spilling syrup outside the hive during refilling. During periods of low natural nectar, the hive entrance should be reduced to a small opening, making it easier for guard bees to defend the hive.
Refilling the feeders late in the day is a common practice, allowing the bees to consume the syrup overnight and reducing the hours available for robbers to find the source. Because sugar water can ferment, especially the thinner 1:1 ratio in warmer temperatures, it must be replaced regularly, ideally every three to five days. Spoiled, sour-smelling syrup is unhealthy for the bees and should be promptly removed and discarded to maintain hive hygiene.