Honeybees rely on natural sources like nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein) to sustain their colony. Environmental factors such as drought, cold snaps, or resource scarcity necessitate intervention from the beekeeper. Supplemental feeding is a management tool used to prevent starvation, encourage colony build-up before a honey flow, or ensure adequate food stores for overwintering. This practice bridges nutritional gaps when natural forage is unavailable, helping the colony maintain a healthy population.
Preparing Sugar Syrup for Carbohydrate Needs
The most common carbohydrate supplement is sugar syrup, which mimics nectar. Use only white, refined granulated sugar, as other types contain impurities bees cannot properly digest. Sugars like brown sugar, raw sugar, or molasses contain complex compounds that can lead to bee dysentery, especially during colder months when cleansing flights are restricted.
Beekeepers utilize two primary ratios of sugar syrup, measured by volume. A thin mixture of one part sugar to one part water (1:1 ratio) is used in the spring to stimulate the queen to lay eggs and encourage rapid population growth. This concentration resembles natural nectar, which bees consume immediately rather than storing it.
A thicker two parts sugar to one part water (2:1 ratio) is used later in the season for building winter stores. This higher concentration means bees expend less energy removing excess moisture, making it easier to “ripen” and cap the syrup for long-term storage. To prepare either syrup, heat the water until warm, avoiding a boil, and stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Boiling the syrup can chemically alter the sugar, producing compounds toxic to bees.
Creating Pollen Substitutes for Protein
Protein is required for honeybee colonies, especially for the development of nurse bees and the rearing of new brood. When natural pollen sources are scarce, typically in early spring or late fall, a protein supplement is necessary to maintain colony strength. This supplement can be offered as a dry powder or, more commonly, formed into moist patties.
Pollen patties are created by mixing a dry pollen substitute powder with a binding agent, usually sugar syrup, to achieve a dough-like consistency. Common ingredients in homemade substitutes include soy flour, brewer’s yeast, or non-fat dry milk, which contribute necessary amino acids and vitamins. Many beekeepers choose commercially prepared mixes due to their scientifically balanced nutritional profiles.
The moist patty is highly palatable and consumed immediately by bees to support the hypopharyngeal glands used to feed larvae. Alternatively, the dry substitute can be dusted near the hive entrance, where bees collect the powder and carry it inside, similar to natural pollen. This resource ensures the colony has the building blocks for population expansion before major pollen-producing flora bloom.
Timing and Safe Delivery of Supplemental Feed
The timing of supplemental feeding relates directly to the colony’s seasonal needs and resource availability. The stimulating 1:1 sugar syrup is applied in early spring to jump-start brood production or during a summer dearth when nectar is unavailable. The heavy 2:1 syrup should be provided in late summer or early fall, allowing the colony time to cure and cap the food before winter.
Safe delivery methods prevent the spread of disease and discourage “robbing,” where stronger colonies steal food from weaker ones. Internal feeders, such as frame feeders that hang inside the hive or top feeders that sit directly above the frames, are the safest choice. These methods keep the feed contained within the hive structure, minimizing exposure to outside pests and foraging bees.
Entrance feeders, while convenient for the beekeeper, pose a higher risk of attracting non-colony bees and inviting robbing behavior. Never feed bees honey from an unknown source, as it carries the risk of transmitting severe bacterial diseases like American Foulbrood. Always maintain cleanliness and avoid spilling syrup outside the hive, which can trigger aggressive robbing among neighboring colonies.