When (and How) to Feed Your Bees for a Healthy Hive
- dunnybees
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
Bees usually gather all the nectar and pollen they need from flowers, but sometimes they need a little help. If food sources are scarce, your colony may struggle to survive. Knowing when and how to feed your bees can make all the difference. Let’s go over the best ways to keep your bees well-fed and thriving.
When Should You Feed Your Bees?
🐝 Early Spring – Bees may need extra food before nectar sources bloom.
🐝 Late Fall – Feeding helps them build enough stores for winter.
🐝 Drought or Poor Forage Conditions – If flowers are scarce, bees may need support, also known as the June Gap or Dearth.
🐝 New Colonies or Packages – Newly installed bees may need feeding until they establish comb.
What Should You Feed Your Bees?
✅ Sugar Syrup (1:1 or 2:1 mixture of sugar and water)
• 1:1 (equal parts sugar and water) – Used in spring and summer to encourage brood production.
• 2:1 (two parts sugar, one part water) – Used in fall to help bees build winter stores.
✅ Fondant or Sugar Bricks
• Used in winter when liquid syrup could freeze.
• Provides emergency food when honey stores run low.
✅ Pollen Patties
• Boosts brood production in early spring.
• Helps bees when pollen is scarce.
🚫 What NOT to Feed Your Bees:
• Honey from unknown sources (could spread diseases).
• Artificial sweeteners (bees can’t digest them).
• Brown or raw sugar (contains harmful molasses).
How to Feed Your Bees
🍯 Internal Feeders (Best for Spring & Fall)
• Placed inside the hive to reduce robbing from other bees.
• Includes division board feeders and frame feeders.
🍯 Top Feeder (Good for Larger Hives)
• Sits on top of the hive and holds a large amount of syrup.
🍯 Entrance Feeder (Easy to Monitor)
• Placed at the hive entrance but can attract robbers.
• Best for temporary feeding in mild weather.
🍯 Sugar Bricks or Fondant (Best for Winter)
• Placed on top of frames to provide emergency food.
Signs Your Bees Need Feeding
⚠️ Light Hive Weight – If the hive feels too light when lifted, honey stores may be low.
⚠️ Bees Are Aggressive or Searching for Food – They may be starving.
⚠️ No Honey Stores During Inspection – A lack of capped honey means they don’t have enough reserves.
Using innovative technology such as HiveBeat® can also be considered to help you monitor your beehives. This type of technology can be tailored to assist both hobbyist and commercial beekeepers in efficiently managing their hives. It provides real-time insights into hive conditions, helping to ensure healthy, thriving colonies by monitoring factors such as temperature, humidity, and activity levels.
A well-fed hive is a strong hive. While bees prefer natural nectar and pollen, supplementing their diet at the right times can help prevent starvation and keep your colony productive.
Written by DunnyBees
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