In an ideal situation honeybees will find ample pollen and nectar sources to keep their colonies well nourished. In a few circumstances (when establishing a new colony for example) and at different times of the year (Spring and Fall) it may be necessary to provide your bees with additional nourishment in the form of pollen patties, liquid syrup, and dry sugar. (Note that providing sugar and/or syrup is not for the purpose of making honey — it is purely to ensure your bees have their basic needs met when environmental conditions are not adequate).
To use the calculator above, select the desired density (1:1 solution or 2:1 solution) and enter the desired syrup volume. Click the calculate button to get the appropriate amounts of sugar and water. To mix syrup, bring water to a boil, remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved. (To avoid caramelizing syrup, make sure to stir in sugar off of the heat source — especially electric elements which are slower to cool down). For a useful resource guide, see the publication “Fat Bees, Skinny Bees: A Manual on Honeybee Nutrition for Beekeepers“.
Ian’s Pollen Patty recipe:
- 2 parts Bee Pro
- 1 part pollen (make sure this is from a known source to eliminate threat of viruses)
- 1 part dry sugar
- 1 part low fat soy flour
Mix in a bit of hot water to pollen to break down. Mix in other ingredients and add sugar syrup to get patty mixture to a cookie dough consistency. Wrap in parchment paper and freeze (in a ziploc bag) what you’re not feeding to the bees immediately.
Bruce’s Winter Feeding Solution
For an overview of Bruce Dobinson’s winter feeding solution, see the YouTube video below:
