Glossary
A solution of white granulated sugar dissolved in water, used by beekeepers to feed honey bee colonies during nectar dearths or to support weak, newly installed, or overwintering colonies. Syrup is mixed at different ratios for different purposes.
Honey bees are remarkably self-sufficient, but situations arise where supplemental feeding is necessary. Newly installed packages or nucs need immediate feeding because they have little or no stored food and must build comb before they can store anything incoming. Colonies that have been split or have had their honey harvested too aggressively may need feeding to avoid starvation. During extended nectar dearths, even established colonies can deplete their reserves.
Thin syrup (1:1, equal parts sugar and water by weight) mimics incoming nectar and stimulates brood rearing and comb building. It is used in spring and early summer to help colonies build up population and draw out new foundation. The thin consistency signals to the colony that a nectar flow is underway, encouraging the queen to increase her laying rate.
Thick syrup (2:1, two parts sugar to one part water) is used in fall to help colonies store food for winter. The concentrated solution requires less processing by the bees (less water to evaporate) and is stored directly. Think of thin syrup as an energy drink and thick syrup as a savings deposit.
Use only plain white granulated sugar. Brown sugar, powdered sugar (which contains cornstarch), organic raw sugar, and honey from unknown sources can cause digestive problems or introduce diseases. Never feed honey from other colonies or purchased honey; it can transmit American Foulbrood spores, the most devastating and contagious bee disease. Stop feeding when natural nectar is available; bees prefer real nectar and will stop taking syrup on their own when forage is good. Never leave feeders of syrup exposed in the open; this triggers robbing behavior.
Never feed bees honey from unknown sources. Honey can carry American Foulbrood spores that survive indefinitely and can devastate a colony. Sugar syrup is safer precisely because it is sterile. Only feed a colony its own honey that you know came from healthy hives.
Stop feeding when a natural nectar flow begins. The bees will tell you: when they stop taking syrup and begin bringing in nectar of their own, remove the feeder. Feeding during a nectar flow can result in sugar syrup being stored in supers and mixed with honey.
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