Feeding Bees: A Comprehensive Guide

Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many of the world’s crops, making them indispensable to our food system. However, there are times when natural food sources are scarce, and beekeepers need to step in to ensure their colonies remain healthy and strong. This article delves into the importance, methods, and considerations of feeding bees.

Key Takeaways:

Feeding bees is essential during times of food scarcity.
There are different types of feed and methods to consider.
Monitoring the health and behavior of the colony is crucial when feeding.

Why Feed Bees?
Types of Bee Feed
Methods of Feeding
Considerations When Feeding Bees
Advanced Techniques in Feeding Bees
Honey as Feed for Bees
Feeding Dry Sugar
Making and Feeding Sugar Syrup
Methods of Feeding Sugar Syrup
Monitoring and Frequency
The Importance of Nutrition in Bee Health
The Role of Nectar and Pollen
Supplements and Additives
The Impact of Pesticides on Bee Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions

Why Feed Bees?

Bees naturally collect nectar and pollen from flowers, which they convert into honey and use as a food source. However, during certain seasons or in specific conditions, these natural food sources can become scarce. This scarcity can be due to various reasons such as:

Seasonal Changes: During winter or prolonged rainy seasons, flowers may not bloom, leading to a shortage of nectar and pollen.
Pesticides and Herbicides: The use of chemicals can reduce the number of flowers available or make them toxic to bees.
Land Development: Urbanization can lead to a reduction in flowering plants.

In such situations, beekeepers need to provide supplemental feeding to ensure the colony’s survival.

Types of Bee Feed

There are several types of feed that beekeepers can provide to their bees:

Sugar Syrup

This is the most common type of feed. It’s made by dissolving sugar in water. The concentration can vary depending on the season and the needs of the bees.

Spring Mix: A lighter syrup made with a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. This mix stimulates brood rearing.
Autumn Mix: A thicker syrup with a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water. This mix helps bees store food for the winter.

Dry Sugar

In colder climates where liquid feeding can be problematic, beekeepers might opt to provide bees with dry sugar. This can be moistened slightly with water to make it more accessible to the bees.

Pollen Substitutes

These are commercially available products that mimic the nutritional profile of pollen. They can be useful when there’s a shortage of natural pollen.

Methods of Feeding

There are various methods to feed bees, each with its advantages and considerations:

Frame Feeders

These are containers that fit inside the hive, replacing one or more frames. They can hold a significant amount of syrup, reducing the frequency of refills. However, they can also lead to robbing if not managed correctly.

Internal Feeder Trays

Placed inside the hive, these trays hold syrup and allow bees easy access without exposing the feed to outside robbers.

PET Bottle Feeders

These are simple feeders made using plastic bottles. They can be placed outside the hive and allow bees to feed without entering the hive.

Considerations When Feeding Bees

When feeding bees, it’s essential to consider the following:

Avoid Overfeeding: While it’s crucial to ensure bees have enough food, overfeeding can lead to problems like honey contamination.
Monitor for Robbing: Bees from other colonies might try to steal food, leading to fights and potential colony collapse.
Clean Feeders Regularly: Dirty feeders can lead to mold and disease.

External Resource

Save Our Bees Australia – An initiative dedicated to the conservation of bees in Australia.

Advanced Techniques in Feeding Bees

Feeding bees is not just about providing them with sugar syrup or dry sugar. It’s a nuanced process that requires understanding the bees’ needs, the environment, and the potential risks involved. This section delves deeper into the advanced techniques and considerations when feeding bees.

Honey as Feed for Bees

Honey is the natural food source for bees. However, beekeepers must exercise caution when feeding bees with honey:

Source Matters: Only feed bees honey from your own disease-free hives. Honey can contain spores of diseases like American foulbrood, which can infect your colonies.
Avoid External Sources: Honey from supermarkets or other beekeepers can be a source of infection. Always ensure the honey’s origin before feeding.
Placement: If you decide to feed your bees with honey, place it inside the hive. It’s illegal and risky to place honey in the open outside the hive.

Feeding Dry Sugar

Dry sugar is an alternative to sugar syrup, especially in colder climates. Here’s how to do it right:

Placement: Medium to strong bee colonies can be fed dry white table sugar placed on hive mats or in trays under the hive lid.
Liquefaction: Bees need water to dissolve the sugar crystals. They either source water from outside the hive or use condensation from inside.
Moistening: Some beekeepers prefer to wet the sugar with water to prevent it from solidifying, creating a partial syrup.
Avoid in Weak Colonies: Weak colonies might not gather sufficient water, making dry sugar feeding unsuitable.
Best Time: Feeding dry sugar is most effective during autumn and spring when humidity is relatively high. During hot, dry summers, bees might find it challenging to dissolve sugar crystals.

Feeding Bees Basics: Ratios and Seasonal Tips

Making and Feeding Sugar Syrup

The preparation and feeding of sugar syrup require precision:

Syrup Ratios: Beekeepers use different ratios of sugar to water. A 1:1 ratio (by weight or volume) is used to supplement honey stores, stimulate colonies to rear brood, and encourage the drawing of comb foundation, especially in spring. A denser 2:1 ratio is used when honey stores in the hive are low.
Preparation: Heat water and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Never boil the mixture after adding sugar, as it can caramelise and become toxic to bees.
Cooling: Always cool the syrup to room temperature before feeding to avoid harming the bees.

Methods of Feeding Sugar Syrup

There are several methods to feed sugar syrup to bees:

Container Feeder: Use a clean container with a sealable lid, filled with sugar syrup. Drill small holes in the lid and place the container inverted on the hive.
Plastic Bag Feeder: Fill a plastic freezer bag partially with syrup, expel air, and seal. Place the bag on the hive’s top bars and punch small holes on the upper surface.
Shallow Tray Feeder: Place syrup in a shallow tray under the hive lid, ensuring bees can access the syrup without drowning.
Frame Feeder: This is a container the size of a full-depth Langstroth frame placed in the hive. It requires flotation material to prevent bees from drowning.

Monitoring and Frequency

Regular monitoring is crucial:

Check Stored Syrup: Bees remove syrup from a feeder, reduce its water content, and store it as honey. Regularly check how much syrup has been stored to guide your feeding frequency.
Avoid Contamination: Sugar remaining in combs must not be extracted with the next honey crop, as it will contaminate the honey.

The Importance of Nutrition in Bee Health

The health and productivity of a bee colony are directly linked to its nutrition. Bees require a balanced diet to thrive, and any imbalance can lead to various health issues. This section will explore the significance of nutrition in bee health and how beekeepers can ensure their colonies receive the right nutrients.

The Role of Nectar and Pollen

Nectar and pollen are the primary food sources for bees:

Nectar: It provides carbohydrates in the form of sugars, which bees convert into honey and use as an energy source.
Pollen: It is the primary protein source for bees, containing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

A lack of either nectar or pollen can lead to malnutrition, affecting the colony’s growth, reproduction, and immunity.

Supplements and Additives

While natural food sources are ideal, there are times when beekeepers need to provide supplements:

Pollen Substitutes: These are commercially available products that mimic the nutritional profile of pollen. They can be useful when there’s a shortage of natural pollen.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: These can enhance bee health, especially during times of stress or disease outbreaks.
Essential Oils: Some beekeepers use essential oils like thyme, lemongrass, and tea tree to boost bee health and deter pests.

The Impact of Pesticides on Bee Nutrition

Pesticides can have a detrimental effect on bee nutrition:

Reduced Foraging: Pesticides can disorient bees, reducing their ability to forage effectively.
Toxicity: Some pesticides can be toxic to bees, leading to immediate death or long-term health issues.
Reduced Food Quality: Pesticides can reduce the nutritional quality of nectar and pollen.

Beekeepers must be aware of the local agricultural practices and advocate for bee-friendly farming methods.

The Role of Nutrition in Honey Bee Health

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best kind of sugar to use when feeding honey bees?

Pure cane granulated sugar is the most recommended type of sugar for feeding bees. It’s essential to avoid using brown sugar, molasses, or any sugar with additives as they can harm bees.

2. Can a new beekeeper open the hive too often after installing a new package?

Yes, frequent disturbances can stress the bees and disrupt their activities. It’s advisable to monitor the hive without opening it too often, especially during the initial days after installing a new package.

3. When you do splits, how do you decide which hives to split from while not hurting honey production?

The decision to split hives depends on several factors, including the strength of the colony, the presence of young brood, and the season. It’s essential to ensure that both the parent and the new hive have enough resources to thrive after the split.

4. What’s the best finish to put on beehives?

Exterior-grade paints or finishes that are non-toxic and weather-resistant are recommended for beehives. It’s essential to ensure the finish is dry and has off-gassed before introducing bees to the hive.

5. If my 8-frame FlowHive will fit 9 frames, should I leave the space, or add the 9th frame?

It’s advisable to maintain the recommended frame spacing in the hive. Overcrowding can lead to issues like comb building between frames, making hive inspections and management challenging.

This section has provided insights into the role of nutrition in bee health and answered some frequently asked questions about bee feeding and care. Proper nutrition is paramount for the health and productivity of bee colonies. Beekeepers must be proactive in ensuring their bees receive a balanced diet, especially during times of food scarcity or environmental stress.