Feeding bees during the winter and during low-flower seasons is an integral part of responsible beekeeping. This is not only important for the survival of bee colonies but also for the achievement of efficient honey production. However, it requires careful planning and preparation to pull off. As temperatures start to drop and the abundance of flowers subsides, beekeepers need to be well-equipped with strategies and tools to incentivize their buzzing friends.
### Why Bees Need Feeding in Winter
Feeding bees in winter and in times when flowers are less abundant is crucial. During these periods, the primary natural food supply of bees—nectar and pollen from flowers—becomes scarce or nonexistent. Providing supplemental feed for your bee colonies during these times can mean the difference between life and death for these winged workers.
Bee colonies depend on stored food supplies to get them through the winter. Yet, even with ample food stores, some colonies might use up their supply faster than others. Harsh weather conditions, longer winter periods, and larger bee colonies might necessitate additional feeding during the dormancy period. Besides, in the absence of a floral source of nectar, bees are left to subsist only on the honey they have stored. If a colony has not stored enough honey to last through the winter, the colony can starve to death.
### Preparing Supplemental Feeds
Feeding bees in winter differs from feeding during low-flower seasons primarily due to temperature differences. Ideally, bees should be winterized and provisioned with enough honey stores to last through the dormancy period by late October or early November. If additional feeding becomes necessary, it should be done promptly.
While baking sugar into a hard candy form is often recommended as winter bee food, this method has drawbacks. It requires specific tools and complex processes that can be time-consuming for a busy beekeeper. Instead, many beekeepers use dry granulated sugar, which is easier to work with and can be more readily accepted by bees.
In seasons when flowers are less abundant, syrup made from sugar and water can serve as an excellent nectar substitute. The syrup should have higher sugar content than the nectar that bees collect from plants. Therefore, the sugar to water ratio should be approximately 2:1. This syrup is also often fortified with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to boost the nutritional profile and increase the beneficial effects on the bees.
### Optimal Feeding Practices
Regularly monitoring honey stores is essential. This will help you understand if and when your bees need supplementary feeding. If you are feeding with dry sugar or fondant, it should be placed directly on the top bars or inner cover, so the bees can easily access it.
During the fall, the brood typically begins to decrease, and the colony starts building up honey stores for winter. At this time, a heavier 2:1 sugar syrup is typically used to help them quickly build their reserves. The sugar content is higher than that in the spring feed to discourage the queen from laying too many eggs. In the spring, a 1:1 ratio can stimulate brood production to build the workforce for collecting nectar during the upcoming flow season.
The winter feed must be in place before the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Bees do not eat cold food and are unable to warm it up. Below this temperature, bees cluster together to keep the colony and their food warm. Positioning the food close to the cluster is crucial so that the bees can easily access it without exposing themselves to the cold.
### Addressing Common Challenges
Commercially manufactured sugars often contain additives that, while safe for human consumption, may harm bees. When preparing sugar solutions, using pure, white, granulated cane sugar is recommended. Avoid powdered sugars, as they contain cornstarch, which can cause dysentery in bees. Brown or raw sugars may also harm bees as they contain molasses, which is difficult for bees to digest.
Beekeepers must also consider local laws and regulations regarding honey production. Some countries have strict rules concerning feeding bees sugar syrup, especially within the honey production cycle. This is due to the potential of honey adulteration, as bees may store the syrup and pass it off as honey in their hives.
Finally, having bee colonies in locations that are conducive to foraging during non-winter months is one of the best strategies to mitigate the necessity for feeding. That said, supplemental feeding during winter and periods of low floral resources is essential to keep colonies healthy and productive.
Feeding bees during winter and low-flower seasons is a delicate task that requires care, consideration, and expertise. It’s an important part of beekeeping that has a significant impact on the health of the bee’s colony during periods when forage is scarce. It involves preparing the right kind of feed, feeding at the right times, and dealing with any potential challenges that may arise. It’s a task that has both short-term and long-term effects on a hive’s sustainability and productivity and is thus crucial to the practice of responsible beekeeping.
