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Going into Winter, or any times of dearth for that matter, bees may require feeding if not strong and established. A general description of this would be a hive weighing around 100 pounds including equipment (per Dr. Joc Rawls, Phoenix, AZ). Plus a population of at least 25,000 bees. If your hive(s) fit this criteria it is possible to make it to the next NECTAR bloom without feeding. If your hive(s) do not meet this requirement and if you do not feed they will likely starve to death. That is if they do not get robbed out because they become weak.
When feeding syrup be cautious not to put the scent of the syrup right at the entrance. Do not spill any syrup. Do not use any stimulants in the syrup (such as Honey Bee Healthy, etc.). Use Robbing Screens. If you had stored honey frames in your freezer for future use or have honey that you want to feed your bees I will be addressing this topic soon. I will also be adding a post about the styles of feeders with pros and cons. USE: Granulated sugar or white sugar White sugar, chemically, is pure sucrose. Because nectar is predominantly sucrose (with some fructose, glucose and trace minerals) it is the closest to what mother nature provides to the bees. White sugar, also called granulated sugar or table sugar, is the most similar to nectar that we have available. This should be your number one choice in feeding your bees. Most beekeepers in Arizona feed a ratio of 1:1 as needed no matter the time of year. OTHER TYPES OF SUGARS, the why's and why nots: Agave nectar Agave nectar is a derivative of the plant's core or pina, should not be fed to bees. Aspartame Aspartame, sold as Equal ® or Nutrasweet ®, are synthetic sweeteners that are not suitable for bees. Brown sugar Brown sugar is white sugar with up to 10% molasses added. The high percentage of molasses in both light and dark brown sugars means it should not be fed to bees. Cane or beet sugar Cane and beet sugars are pure sucrose. Sugar beets are a GMO product. Though GMO does not effect the sucrose as it is in the plant proteins. Coconut and Palm sugar Coconut and palm sugars are sap sugars high in mineral content and only 70-80% sucrose, and for these reasons should not be fed to bees. Confectioners sugar Confectioners sugar, or powdered sugar, cannot be fed to bees as a supplement however it is safe to use as a mite dusting powder or queen cage candy plug. Powdered sugar contains 3% cornstarch which is why it should not be fed on a regular basis but okay to use in special situations. Demerara sugar Demerara sugar is another large grain brown sugar. Again, it should not be fed to bees because of the molasses. Drivert Sugar Drivert sugar is a dry fondant sugar that has been agglomerated with 8% invert sugar. Invert sugar is a mix of glucose and fructose created by heating pure sugar (sucrose) with water. In simple terms, it is 92% pure sugar (sucrose) with 8% glucose/fructose in powder form. Some people still will use this option, however, due to the heating of the sugar I do not recommend it as it may have some effects on gut health. Evaporated cane juice Evaporated cane juice results in a product with more nutrients than white sugar. The remaining nutrients can result in dysentery. High Fructose Corn Syrup High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is often fed to bees in the commercial application. HFCS is made by processing corn which results in a product that is predominantly fructose and dextrose. The corn used to create HFCS is GMO, could contain neonicotinoids, and contains no sucrose. Maple Syrup Pure Maple syrup is a tree sap and should not be fed to bees. Other "Maple Syrups" are man made usually using High Fructose Corn Syrup and ingredients not digestible by honeybees. Organic sugar Although organic sugar can be fed, a 2009 study showed that organic sugar has a higher ash content than cane sugar (0.03% ash in cane sugar vs 0.20% ash in organic). Bees are able to digest the lower ash sugar more easily. Thus organic sugar should NOT be a first choice when considering gut health. Raw sugar Raw sugar is minimally or unrefined white sugar, which has a small amount of molasses to give it the golden color. Raw sugar is unlikely to have enough molasses to negatively impact bees and is safe to feed. Due to the higher cost than white sugar, without any particular benefit, white sugar should still be the first choice. Saccharin Saccharin, commonly known as Sweet 'N Low ® is a synthetic derivative of coal tar. It should go without saying, it should not be fed to bees. Stevia Although stevia tastes sweet, it is a glycoside byproduct of pressing the leaves. Since it contains no sucrose, it is not appropriate for bees. Sucralose Sucralose, such as Splenda ® , is a chlorinated from of sucrose, where the chemical structure is changed. It is very different than sucrose, and should never be fed to bees. Sugar cubes Sugar cubes are pure granulated sugar, with no caking agents. Therefore, they can be fed to bees. Turbinado sugar Turbinado sugar is a large grain, brown colored sugar. As with many other sugars, the brown color is from molasses, and should not be fed to bees. Xylitol Xylitol, sorbitol, and Mannitol are sugar alcohols, and which are poisonous and not to be fed to bees. Sources: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/data/assets/p sugar-to-honey-bees.pdf http://scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-bees- part-3/ https://www.beeculture.com/sugar-for- bees/ https://honeybeesuite.com/is-organic- sugar-better-for-bees/ http://bee-quick.com/reprints/sugar.pdf Or at least that's what the cat's think it is.....I was going to use this tree that we did a cut out from for a succulent planter in the garden. The cat's had other ideas for it, and of course, what ever our kitties want they get. :)    In her younger years our Neapolitan / Fila Brasileiro Mastiff would use the top of vehicles for look out towers.
Click on the following link to get directed to the Amazon page to purchase the robbing screen: https://amzn.to/3NHp9Oo Robbing Screen The above affiliate link is to products we personally use in our apiary and on the homestead. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites." Periods of flower "dearth" bring honeybees to hummingbird feeders. To move or remove the feeders do so at night (after dusk) when the honeybees go back to their colony. Honeybees can forage an average of three miles, sometimes more in extreme conditions. Honeybees at your hummingbird feeder does not mean you have a colony close by, though it is possible. Try "bee proof" feeders and/or inserts like those in the affiliate links below. If the bees tongue can reach the syrup they will continue to come until the syrup is gone. You want to create a hummingbird feeder, not a bee feeder. Think how long the tongue of a hummingbird is. Also, please consider the hummingbirds need to migrate, so you might think of the time of year and if it is their natural time to leave. Pulling your feeder may prevent some unnecessary deaths if they get caught in freezing temperatures. Notice no bees on my feeder! I have over 100 hives in a three mile radius! Click on these links to purchase Feeder or inserts The above affiliate links are to products we personally use in our apiary and on the homestead. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."   Whether you need to fix burr comb inside your hive or you do cut-out established hive removals these rubber bands are the perfect size to run horizontally and vertically on a deep frame.
I use the same rubber bands on medium frames as well by doubling them to decrease their size, put one on and stretch the band apart to create a V shape. I will share a photo next time I do a medium. Here is an affiliate link: amzn.to/3TTos7Y The above affiliate link is to a product we personally use in our apiary and on the homestead. "We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites."  The photo above are the wax flakes forming in the glands of a young worker bee. Bees have eight wax glands on the underside of their abdomens, these glands are largest when the bee is about 12 days old and gradually decline in size after that. Not all worker bees produce wax, this task is usually left to these young bees also known as "house bees".
The worker bee secretes a liquid wax from its glands, which hardens into scales when it comes into contact with air. Bees have to consume around 6 to 8 pounds of honey to produce one pound of wax. Bees use beeswax to build honeycomb, which they use to store honey, pollen, and nectar, and to raise their young. Wax can vary in color depending on pollen sources, location in hive, and level of refinement. It is difficult to call beeswax "organic" as beekeepers do not have control of where their bees go to forage. Humans have been using beeswax since ancient times. Here are some of the current uses: Candles - Dipped, rolled, or molds. Beeswax candles are biodegradable, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly. They burn cleanly with little smoke and release negative ions that bind to pollutant ions. Don't drip or produce smoke. Crayons - along with color pigments Lipstick Beeswax is a key ingredient in lipstick because it hardens the texture, gives it a glossy look, and helps retain moisture. Rust prevention Beeswax can be used to coat materials to prevent rusting. It can also be used to coat nails and screws to prevent them from splitting wood. Waterproofing Beeswax can be used to waterproof shoes and other cloth items. Skin and hair care Beeswax can be used to hydrate, condition, and soothe the skin and hair. It can also help heal abrasions and protect the skin from environmental pollutants. Component for mustache cream. Food preservation Beeswax wrap is breathable and can help keep food fresh for longer. It can be washed and air-dried after each use. Wax is also used in hard cheese storage and covering preservatives. Furniture polish Beeswax can be used as a natural furniture polish that gives wood a smooth finish and protects it when mixed with other products such as linseed oil and/or mineral spirits. Also used to lubricate old furniture joints. Medicinally Soothes irritated skin and is used in salve making mixed with herbal concoctions. Anti-bacterial. Contains Vitamin A - improving the healing of wounds. Unstick the Stuck Smooth movement for doors and windows. Bronze Polishing Prevents bronze items from tarnishing. Conditioner for wood bowls and cutting boards. Used by NASA with an enzyme to mop up oceanic oil spills. Used by Archery Hunters Musical Instrument Uses Cake guitar bodies to boost longevity. Coat tambourine surfaces for thumb roll playing technique. Coat reeds for woodwinds to get a tight fit. To coat the hemp strings on Bag Pipes. Craft Uses Egg painting in a Ukraine folk art of Pysanky. An essential ingredient in Indian art of fabric dyeing called Batik printing. Encaustic Art Painting. Used in glass etching. |
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