Feeding Your Bees - How to, What To, When to!

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• published: 11 Feb 2016
• views: 8169

This video is a primer on the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and materials used to feed your bees. Some people are of the opinion that bees shouldn't be fed anything (survival of the fittest) or only honey. However, I believe that beekeepers often times upset the balance in the first place and as stewards of the bees...it is our responsibility to do what we can to keep our bees alive. One of these ways is to feed them when they are in danger of starving. Here is an outline of different methods of feeding bees. My method, a simple can of sugar syrup over the brood nest: Advantages - Bees can cluster underneath the can, it is easily replaced, it does not attract robber bees. It is the only method that truly allows bees to remain in a cluster in cold weather in a form that is immediately available for bees to eat. Disadvantages - Using a large size container can bow the inner cover, and using a smaller container such as a quart needs to be replaced at least once a week. It also, along with all syrup feeds, releases moisture into the hive so good hive ventilation is a must. Entrance Feeder Advantages - It is the most easily replaced container and does not require any entry into the hive. Syrup or honey can be used as in the container above. Disadvantages - It is exposed to the elements so is not useful in the winter or when bees are clustering at night because of cold weather. The syrup in the jar can freeze as well because it is exposed and unlike the container above the brood nest, has no way for the bees to warm it. Releases moisture into the hive. This method is also very effective at attracting robber bees to the hive and so disease transmission is a factor. Hive Top Feeder Advantages - it is above the brood nest so warmth will usually keep it from freezing, but not always. It can hold a lot of syrup so there is less need to make frequent trips to the apiary. Disadvantages - It is very messy, attracts a lot of robber bees, drowns a lot of bees both during use and when refilling. Discarding unused syrup is more difficult. The bees cannot use it when they are clustered. Frame Feeder (a vat that sits where a frame usually does) Advantages - This can also hold a lot of syrup and the bees can cluster next to it, but they cannot use it while clustered. Disadvantages - It is necessary to go into the hive to refill or remove it. This method also drowns bees and attracts robbers, but less so than the hive top feeder. Also very messy. Sugar Fondant Patty Advantages - the bees can actually cluster underneath this but they need a source of moisture to actually use it as a food source. It feeds bees for a long time when a large patty is made. I have found that this method will keep a hive alive in the winter and even in cold weather the patty remains pliable. Disadvantages - Requires entry into the hive and possibly spacers to be used to allow room for use. Bees need a source of water available to use it. But less so than dry sugar. Dry sugar placed in the hive Advantages - Sugar in its purchased form can be used immediately. Can be inserted right on top of frames with a piece of paper below it. Bees can cluster underneath it, but cannot use it in this form. Disadvantages - Bees cannot use it without water to make it into a syrup. It is hard to gauge the weight of the hive because feed is in dry form and needs water as opposed to syrup which can be felt once it is stored in frames, or one the hive in a container. This is a method invented by beekeepers, for beekeepers but is hard for bees to actually utilize. Sometimes the bees just take it out of the hive instead of using it as a food source. Thanks for the view and subscribe for more videos!