What do you feed honey bees in the winter?
What do you feed honey bees in the winter?
The best food for feeding bees in the winter is, of course, the one they make for themselves: their own honey. Besides sugars, honey contains nutrients that keep the colony healthy, strong and better able to fight off parasites.
Do you feed honey bees in the winter?
Each colony needs at least 50-60 pounds of stored honey to keep them from starvation in the winter. Even if you don’t feed until winter and early spring, you can still feed the bees. You might want to use granulated sugar or fondant during cold winter days.
How do you feed bees in the winter?
Feeding Bees In The Winter
- Never feed honey bees liquid sugar water when they are clustered.
- Feed candy boards only above the winter cluster.
- Allow upper ventilation when feeding candy boards in the winter.
- Protein must be added to the candy for winter survival.
- Do not allow the candy boards to go completely empty.
How do you give bees water in the winter?
To create a bee watering station in winter, some people grate an apple into a little bowl and cover with water. The grated apple is rumored to provide the sugar bees need while also serving as a platform for them to stand on as they drink the water. However, beekeepers recommend against this method.
How long should you feed bees sugar water?
After a few weeks, nectar will naturally become more available. Too many beekeepers think this is the time to stop feeding their bees sugar water. However, it’s good practice to wait until the colony has created combs and started filling those combs with honey.
What is the ratio of sugar to water for feeding bees?
Mix the sugar and water in a ratio of 2:1. Once again by weight or volume doesn’t matter. It’s two parts sugar, one part water. It’s thicker than the spring syrup.
When should I feed my honey bees?
We recommend feeding in early Spring and in times of need. That said follow the seasonal recipes below. Another good reason to feed would bee to establish a new hive. Making wax requires a lot of energy for you new hive.
