Open Source Content Management

Sugar Syrup

Feed sugar syrup when the weather is warming up but nectar flow hasn't yet started or is weak.

Sugar Syrup Recipe

Makes approximately 1 gallon of sugar syrup.

Ingredients

• 8 pounds sugar (standard crystallized cane sugar)
• 1 gallon water

Instructions

Heat water to boiling; remove from heat. Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Pour into feeding or storage containers. Allow to cool before feeding to bees.

NOTE: It is advisable to measure by weight rather than volume, as water is a bit heavier than sugar, throwing off the ratio at larger volumes. If making a large batch of sugar syrup, use mass rather than volume in a 1:1 ratio.

Sugar Candy

Sugar candy is an emergency feeding approach implemented in early spring when temperatures are below 50°F.

Sugar Candy Recipe (from Beekeeping Basics)

Makes a large batch.

Ingredients

• 15 pounds sugar
• 3 pounds glucose or white corn syrup
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Instructions

Combine the ingredients; stir and heat until sugar dissolves. Heat without stirring to 238°F (115°C), or until medium ball on candy thermometer; then pour the syrup onto a cold platter and cool until warm to the touch, about 180°F (81°C). Beat the syrup until it turns white; then carefully pour it into molds or shallow dishes lined with wax paper, or on a board feeder. Once the candy hardens, invert it over the top bars near the cluster. Keep it warm by covering the candy and the space around it with cloth or newspaper.

Pollen Cakes

Pollen cakes or pollen substitute can be fed in early spring before the first natural pollen becomes available.

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Bees feeding on a homemade pollen cake

Pollen Cake Recipe

Makes one cake (lasts 7-10 days in a healthy hive):

Ingredients

• 2 ounces pollen
• 6 ounces soybean flour
• 5 1/2 ounces water
• 10 1/2 ounces sugar

Makes 32 cakes:

Ingredients

• 4 pounds pollen
• 12 pounds soybean flour
• 11 pounds water
• 21 pounds sugar

Instructions

Mix pollen, sugar, and hot water; then add soybean flour until the mixture has the consistency of peanut butter. Recipes contain about 1 part pollen to 3 parts soybean flour mixed with heavy syrup (2:1 sugar:water).

When pollen is not available, you may substitute Brewer's yeast (1 to 6 parts soybean flour), powdered skim milk (1 to 4 parts soybean flour), or additional soybean flour. Form a patty 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick and weighing 1/2 to 1 pound by pressing the doughlike mixture between two sheets of wax paper.