Sugar Syrup Proportions – How to Feed Your Bees?

Sugar syrup is usually made in two different proportions depending on the season. Light syrup or spring syrup is 1 part sugar per 1 part of water (by weight or volume). Heavy syrup or autumn syrup is made of 2 parts of sugar per one part of the water.

Why are sugar syrup proportions important?

The reason for this ratio of sugar syrup is that light syrup is like nectar. The presence of spring nectar stimulates the production of brood. Hereby, light syrup, as a rule, does the same. With a ready supply of nectar or light syrup, workers create a comb, and the queen lays eggs. Some people advocate using 1 part of the sugar to 2 parts of water to stimulate the development of broods, although this is not as common as before.

Autumn syrup is like honey, and bees usually keep it for winter. Beekeepers use it in autumn if they think that there is not enough honey in the hive to survive the winter. One gallon of heavy syrup (2:1) can increase the colony’s supply by about 7 pounds (3.18 kg).