This video discusses the chemistry and mechanics of feeding bees, focusing on the benefits of sucrose syrup over high fructose corn syrup and the importance of timing and dilution for optimal colony health. The speaker emphasizes the importance of early, thin feeding to stimulate brood production and create an antiseptic environment within the hive, combating brood diseases.
Sucrose Syrup Superiority: Sucrose syrup (white sugar) is superior to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for bee feeding. Colonies fed sucrose syrup build more honeycomb, gain more weight, rear more brood, and overwinter better. HFCS inhibits the production of hydrogen peroxide, a natural antiseptic within the hive.
Thin Syrup & Timing: Feeding thin sucrose syrup (1.25 parts sugar to 1 part water or even thinner) early in the season (August/September) is crucial. This stimulates brood production and creates an antiseptic environment by promoting hydrogen peroxide production, helping combat brood diseases. Avoid late-season, large-volume feedings of thick syrup, as this reduces the stimulative effect.
Importance of Early Feeding: Starting early allows the bees ample time to process the syrup and build up stores for winter without overworking them in late autumn. The speaker recommends completing feeding by November.
Colony Type Considerations: Italian bees tend to store honey above the excluder, leaving less in the brood nest, requiring closer attention to their weight and feeding needs. Other bee types (Carnolians, Caucasians) naturally maintain stores closer to the brood.
Avoid Alternatives: Don't feed molasses, sorghum syrup, maple syrup, fruit juice, brown sugar, unrefined sugar, or powdered sugar. Only use refined white sugar (pure sucrose).
