Why Do Beekeepers Feed Bees Sugar Water and Its Benefits
Beekeepers use sugar water for several important reasons, primarily to ensure the survival and productivity of their colonies. This article delves into these reasons and explains the benefits of using sugar water as an alternative energy source for bees.
Benefits of Feeding Bees Sugar Water
Beekeepers feed their colonies sugar water for three main reasons:
To keep bees alive when they consume more honey than expected, which can happen for various reasons. To stimulate brood rearing in preparation for the honey flow season, ensuring that the bee population is at its peak when the nectar is available. To aid in queen rearing, particularly when there is a shortage of fresh honey in the hive.It is a myth that sugar water is used to dilute honey. The cost of adding syrup to honey would exceed the return, making this practice economically impractical.
Two Key Reasons for Feeding Bees
Two other reasons pertinently involve strengthening the hive and ensuring survival:
To build up the strength of the hive, only a strong hive can produce enough honey to rob. To keep bees alive in situations where no other food is available.Sugar water, made from sucrose and water, serves as an energy substitute for bees when nectar or honey dew is not abundantly available. This alternative food source is particularly important during transitions like the beginning of a new colony or during difficult periods when the bees require an extra boost.
Feeding Bees as a Precautionary Measure
Feeding bees sugar water is not only a reactive measure but can also be a precautionary one. This practice is often necessary in the fall after the summer honey harvest, but it can be vital at other times as well. In many cases, feeding is merely a precaution; the bees would have survived without it.
My Neighbor's Beekeeping Experience
My neighbor, a beekeeper, had stories from my childhood about the intricacies of beekeeping. Honey is harvested primarily in spring throughout the country, but availability varies by region. In places like Fujian, autumn and winter honey are still available, whereas in colder areas, there is no winter honey at all.
Wild bees in nature store large amounts of honey for their own consumption during the honey shortage season. However, artificially bred bees, unable to store significant honey, rely on the beekeepers for sustenance during these periods. This dependency on human intervention underscores the importance of proper feeding practices in beekeeping.
Understanding the reasons behind feeding bees sugar water is crucial for effective bee management and ensuring the health and survival of these valuable pollinators.