Feeding & Seasonal Care
Sugar Syrup Feeder
Bulk liquid feeding for build-up and winter stores.
Sugar syrup is the beekeeper's substitute for nectar. Thin syrup (1:1 by weight) mimics a spring flow and stimulates brood rearing; thick syrup (2:1) is what you feed in autumn because it needs less work to dehydrate into stores.
A syrup feeder is built for volume. Bucket feeders invert over a screened hole in the crown board. Top feeders hold 10–15 L above the colony with a float. Division-board feeders replace a frame and hold syrup inside the box, which keeps it warm and almost eliminates robbing.
At a glance
Safety
Never feed honey, brown sugar, or syrup made from unrefined sugar — these can carry disease and cause dysentery. Never feed syrup with medication unless the label and your local rules allow it, and never feed during a honey flow you intend to harvest.
Using it well
- Feed 1:1 in spring to stimulate, 2:1 in autumn to store. Getting this backwards costs the colony.
- Feed in the evening, in bulk, and stop when the flow starts.
- Never feed above a queen excluder — the queen needs access to the stores.
- Remove feeders before winter if they cannot be kept from freezing solid.
Compatibility
Hive types
- Langstroth
- Flow
Bees
European honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Educational reference only. Hive & Honey sells no equipment and takes no sponsorship. Specifications here describe typical products in this category; check the actual figures for the item you own or intend to buy. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and your local regulations.