The feeding of sugar syrup is one of the oldest methods of feeding bees and is probably still the most commonly used worldwide. Syrup is easy to make and probably the cheapest form of feeding. In some regions, a variety of sugars are used, but the most common is ordinary white granulated cane or beet sugar. Traditionally, there are two strengths, "2 to 1", which is known as "thick syrup" and "1 to 1", that is known as "thin". The terms 2 to 1 and 1 to 1 refer to the amount of sugar to water, being imperial measurements of either 2lbs or 1lb of sugar to one pint of water. Now we are metricated, it very neatly converts into 4kg sugar to 2½ litres of water. It doesn't refer to any of the other options erroneously given, which only confuses beginners. Whilst on the topic of terminology, the correct term in the UK is "syrup", not "sugar water".

Thick syrup is usually used for autumn/winter feeding, thin for summer or stimulative feeding. The reason is that thick syrup is usually stored, thin is usually used immediately by the bees, the former in place of honey, the latter, nectar. Removing excess water from food ages bees, hence thick syrup for storage. I rarely use thin syrup, as I don't feed stimulatively and my bees rarely run short of food during the summer. If they do, I prefer to give them a comb of food from another colony or use thick syrup.

Syrup is easy to make, although different beekeepers will use different methods, depending on their circumstances. Small scale beekeepers can easily make syrup in the kitchen, using available equipment, though larger scale beekeepers will find other ways. I have seen commercial beekeepers use a variety of methods, including an electric concrete mixer and an old motorised geared down honey extractor with a paddle in place of the cage.

Sugar dissolves more quickly in hot water, than cold, so many beekeepers use water from the hot tap, although this isn't necessary. I will describe the method I have used for many years, whether for when I had 130 colonies, or the 30-35 I now have. My sugar comes in 55kg paper sacks. All I need is:-

• Some buckets, preferably plastic with a pouring spout, as they are easier to use. They are often discarded and can be found in builder's skips if you are lucky.
• A container, preferably with a handle to take the sugar out of the sacks.
• 25 litre plastic cans for transport to out apiaries and storage. Plastic cans are often discarded, mine have previously contained such substances as distilled water and cider vinegar, neither of which are going to harm bees. Plastic degenerates and becomes brittle if left in sunlight, so I only half fill the cans to put less stress on the handles.
• A large plastic funnel of the type used by farmers for decanting oil and fuel. This for filling the cans.
• A stick for stirring

In the buckets I have put two felt tip marks, one at 5 litres, one when 8kg of sugar is added, so I don't have to measure water or sugar. To make the syrup, I put cold water in the buckets to the 5 litre line, then add some sugar and stir with the stick. To add all the sugar in one go makes it more difficult to stir. Every time I pass the buckets, I add more sugar and give another stir until the second line is reached. When the sugar is dissolved and the syrup is clear, I add thymol. I either feed the bees or put the syrup in the cans for later use. That is how I do it because it suits me. It doesn't take up much time and by using thymol, I don't have the mould and black sludge in feeders and the syrup doesn't ferment, so it will keep in good condition for a long time. It may not suit others and I'm sure there are many ways of making syrup. Many beekeepers will probably buy their sugar in small bags when the price is low. Others may have a source such as sweepings from a food manufacturing sugar user or broken bags. These are often free.

The small scale beekeeper will probably do a slightly different version of what I do, but with prepared feeds that have become available, many larger scale beekeepers will probably use them as it will save time and may be cost effective.

Roger Patterson.

Page created 31/08/2022