How to Feed Bees in Winter
Feeding bees during the winter season is one of the main focuses and challenges for beekeepers in preparing bee colonies for spring. In winter, weather disturbances such as rain, snow, and cold temperatures prevent bees from leaving their hive. Therefore, bees rely on consuming the stored honey in the frames. If a colony lacks honey reserves, it will struggle to survive, and individual bees may die due to starvation.
Methods of Feeding Bees in Winter
Since food sources for bees are scarce in winter, it is crucial to provide appropriate nutrition to ensure their energy needs are met. In this article, we will discuss some methods for feeding bees in winter, aiming to maintain healthy colonies by offering balanced and controlled nutrition. We will also address the question of how to feed bees in winter.
Preferred Winter Bee Food
In cold weather, it is not advisable to feed bees sugar syrup solutions because bees do not readily accept them due to the low temperatures. Moreover, feeding syrup during this period can lead to a condition called Nosema, a disease that can cause colony collapse if not treated promptly. If you are a beginner and are unsure about the specific disease affecting your bees, it is recommended to seek immediate assistance from a veterinarian or an experienced beekeeper to guide you on proper treatment methods for your colony.
Therefore, it is preferable to provide either sugar or protein patties. Alternatively, dry feeding can be done by offering powdered sugar. Concentrated sugar syrup can also be provided, consisting of two kilograms of sugar dissolved in one liter of water.
Preparing Bee Feed
The best food to offer bees in winter is natural honey. However, if honey is not available, alternative :feeds can be provided
Protein Patty:
This is a mixture prepared by beekeepers, containing pollen pellets, powdered sugar, and diluted natural honey. A small amount of milk or lemon juice can be added to prevent the patty from hardening. This protein patty serves as a stimulant for the queen to lay eggs and prepare the colony for spring. It is recommended to provide protein patties during winter.
Sugar Patty:
Also known as "candy," it is made by mixing powdered sugar with sugar syrup. It is offered as an alternative to liquid syrup and provides bees with the necessary energy. Similar to protein patties, sugar patties can be given during winter. The difference between them is that protein patties contain pollen pellets to stimulate egg production, while sugar patties solely provide energy.
Feeding Bees with Concentrated Sugar Syrup
This method involves feeding bees with a sugar syrup solution enriched with essential nutrients. It can be done by offering diluted honey syrup or preparing a concentrated sugar syrup solution with two kilograms of sugar per liter of water. This ratio is suitable for winter feeding, while in summer, the proportions may vary due to higher temperatures. However, it is worth mentioning that autumn feeding is preferable to winter feeding since bees need to have honey stores for winter. Opening the hive during cold weather can disrupt the bees' temperature regulation.
Tips for Ensuring Bee Safety
- Avoid feeding bees artificial honey that contains synthetic substances.
- If nectar and pollen are scarce in the surrounding area, consider relocating some colonies to a different foraging location.
- Feeding becomes necessary if honey stores are insufficient to sustain the colony's population.
- External feeding is not recommended as it can be a cause of disease transmission among bees. Additionally, neighboring bees may take advantage of the feeding source.
- Finally, if you intend to produce natural honey, it is essential to cease feeding before the end of January. It is recommended to provide feeding in autumn, allowing the colony to build up honey reserves for winter survival.
Please note that beekeeping practices may vary, and it is always advisable to consult with experienced beekeepers or local