How to Feed Bees

Feed your bees regularly in early spring before nectar flows and again in the fall. Feeding bees is especially important during a drought.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Corn Syrup
• Cream Of Tartar
• Granulated Sugar
• Water
• Granulated Sugar
• Candy Thermometer
• Cooking Pots
• Molds Or Candy Dishes
• Platters
• Quart Jars
• Stirring Spoons
• Water
• Quart jars

Honey

1. Gather honey that is unfit to market, or use excess honey.

2. Place honey in entrance feeder and at the hive.

Sugar Water

3. Heat 1 qt. non-fluoridated water just to the point where it is warm enough to dissolve sugar.

4. Fill a quart jar with the warm water.

5. Mix 2 c. sugar into the water until dissolved.

6. Place the jar in the entrance feeder and at the hive after the mixture has cooled.

Bee Candy

7. Gather ingredients: 2 c. granulated sugar, 2 tbsp. corn syrup, 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar, and 1 1/2 c. water.

8. Combine and heat ingredients.

9. Stir until sugar dissolves.

10. Heat without stirring to 238 degrees F or until the mixture reaches "medium ball" stage on a candy thermometer.

11. Pour onto a cold platter and cool until warm to the touch.

12. Beat until light.

13. Pour into molds or shallow dishes.

Tips & Warnings

• Use recycled quart-size salad dressing jars to store the feeding mixture.
• To use dry sugar, remove the top cover from the hive. Pour 1 lb. granulated sugar around the handhold in the inner cover. Replace the hive top.
• Do not boil sugar and water. This will cause the mixture to crystallize.