How to Mix 2:1 Sugar Syrup for Feeding Bees

[@k.epicdragonfly3966]

Appreciate how you just get right to it and didn’t bore with a shit pot of extraneous information and fluffy conversation...also that you give ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS! I highly enjoyed and would recommend your video if all the heck a person wants to know is how much and how to make. Thank you! Time spent with your video to actual info gained was perfect...thanks so very much!

[@nolashadows]

Thank you for all your videos. Watching your videos makes me want to start bee keeping. Plus its really relaxing to watch them. Keep it up man. Looking forward to more.

[@vinofarm]

Corey Skipper Relaxing? Alright! Thanks for watching and being nice.

[@honeyspoonbeewrangler4550]

If its at temp of a nice hot bath, you can keep your fingers in without burning, that is a good temp to dissolve.

[@heavymechanic2]

I tried heating water to 130-140 and adding sugar, it still settles out in a bucket. Tried heating the syrup to dissolve and had candy in the bottom of containers after a few days. Was making 2to1

[@suzanneknibb3501]

thanks for the metric conversions. much appreciated

[@vinofarm]

suzanne knibb Sure thing! I love metric and can do most rough conversions in my head. Except for temperature. I have a total Fahrenheit brain.

[@justynb5500]

Was going to say the same thing, love your work!

[@adam.millerchip]

If you do it in metric, however many kg of sugar you use, just half it and that's how many litres of water. 10kg sugar, 5L water (because 1L water weighs 1kg).

[@dmanc53]

2:1 syrup 6 qts(1.5 gal) water per 25# bag of sugar in a 5 gallon bucket. Love your videos- buy your caption (@ ;53) hid the measure on the measuring cup. which is what I needed to see. got it now & will note it in marker on my syrup bucket.

[@skywave12]

Great you show the difference between Mass and Volume. You can get even closer compensating the Specific gravity of the Water at a certain Temperature to make it just so right :-)

[@djg585]

I turn the heat off before pouring in the sugar.

[@richardeticostack5930]

Have you tried to make sugar frames? That might be a good source of food for the winter so that you don't disturb the bees as often to feed them.

[@ceniloar]

Very helpful, thanks. I'm trying to feed a single wasp and I wasn't sure what the consistency should be, but I think I got it now.

[@Marleigh24]

How is your wasp doing? Bees are more appreciated than wasps bc wasps aren’t big pollinators. Thank you for caring for the wasp! I want to see if I can teach a bee simple tricks like learning to roll a ball. Or if bees can use there communication to teach each other

[@ShlisaShell]

Short and sweet.

[@thekaylornator]

Don't know if you've tried it but a commercial "piano wire" whisk will make quicker work of dissolving the sugar and as a bonus you don't get as much splash.

[@vinofarm]

Yes, I do this with a whisk now! Good tip.

[@mikeries8549]

@@vinofarm Buy a paint mixing tool for your cordless drill. You're going to be making syrup 4 gallons at a time in 5-gallon buckets. Serve warm. ;)

[@Jason-xu6pi]

How do you store syrup? Also, how long will it keep outside of the refrigerator? Easy to find videos on how to make it but not so many on storing it.

[@vinofarm]

I don't store it. I mix it and put it on the hives within a day.

[@Jason-xu6pi]

I think that's what most people do. I had considered making some in advance so I don't have to whip up a batch as often.

[@overlycreative1]

You ladle like a pro..:)

[@vinofarm]

I come from a long line of ladlers.

[@overlycreative1]

Hahaha... lol enjoy your day.

[@sml2k186]

Give me all your bee syrup now. “No don’t take it away from me my wife is pregnant.”

[@turkyashorbarbod8167]

Did you hear about inverted sugar syrup? Its better than normal syrup because its already digested by "Invertase enzyme" from sucrose (Disaccharide sugar) into fructose and glucose (Monosaccharides sugar). So, bees not have to digest sugar syrup. This simulate honey and give bees pure energy immediately and longer life specially in wintering bees.

[@vinofarm]

I believe you are describing 'fondant'.

[@turkyashorbarbod8167]

No, It's different from fondant. fondant may break sucrose by acidic But form HMF. But when we use "Invertase enzyme" to sugar syrup we break sucrose to 50% fructose and 50% glucose without high temperature that form HMF. Example for "Invertase enzyme" brand: PCHELIT, VemoHerb Bees+, InvertoBee. Also, you can find it on eBay. This study about how Sugar syrup shortens the life of bees: resistantbees.com/blog/?page_id=1334 You can google it for more information.

[@justinthibeault7212]

HMF doesn't need high temperatures to form, it just happens faster when the sugar is warm. Even the temperatures in a beehive are high enough to measurably increase HMF in honey (www.fiitea.org/foundation/files/2001/Sofia%20KARABOURNIOTI,%20P.%20ZERVALAKI.pdf) Low heat (even without acid) will invert some percentage of the sugar in syrup, and the invertase produced by bees will also invert if they are storing it like you'd expect them to with 2:1. This does make me think about picking up some invertase for making 1:1 syrup though and makes me wonder if you can make 2:1 without heat if you added some invertase.

[@djg585]

Use a sauce pan with a long handle to get some syrup out of the pot before trying to pour from the pot.

[@ianumeda]

Have you observed a change in behavior in your bees when you feed them vs when you don't? I've noticed that a good number of my bees just bumble around my house (and presumably my neighbor's properties also) when the hive is on the syrup drip. It's rather annoying - particularly because I think my bees have never forgiven me for the sugar roll test I did more than a month back and they get all pissy when they find me working in their garden. So I've stopped feeding them. They are much more likable when they are worried about their food stores.

[@vinofarm]

I guess it depends on your climate and available nectar sources. We had an extreme drought this year. And my bees were a fresh package in an empty hive 5 months ago. Without food, they would have been starving all summer and terribly weak at this point going into winter. When I took a couple weeks off from feeding in late summer, I noticed they were the opposite of likable. They need food now to prepare for winter. Next year will be different. I will feed if they need it in late winter/early spring, but they should have the strength to get their own food all next summer.

[@ianumeda]

Vino Farm , I'm curious - how far is your bee yard is from your house? Mine is about 40', not far for bees. If yours is further I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't notice if they bumbled around or not when fed. I've also got a new hive from a swarm in June so I've been feeding constantly from the beginning. Regarding your 2:1 sugar syrup recipe - i find it simpler, albeit more approximate, to just fill my container with sugar and pour in boiled water into the container until it's full with mixed syrup. The granulated sugar reduces in volume by about half thereby giving you 2:1 syrup.

[@vinofarm]

Ian Umeda My hive is 150 yards away from my house. I don't see bees near the house very often. They have 6 acres of pasture and 100 acres of woods to fly in. I though I'd do the math once and for all on the syrup. After weighing everything and coming up with the recipe in the video, I looked around and did not find these numbers anywhere. A lot of people say 25lbs sugar to 2 gallons (8 quarts) of water, but that is absolutely not 2:1, by weight or volume. But hey, who cares?

[@ianumeda]

Vino Farm , yes I don't think precision on bee syrup is imperative. When I weighed sugar and water I found that water doesn't weigh significantly more than sugar by volume (compared to how significantly the opinions vary on feeding bees on the Internet). The method I described allows you to easily make ~2:1 syrup for any container so you don't have to store extra syrup in your fridge and you have to clean syrup off of a minimum of utensils. At higher sugar concentrations it's probably necessary to heat the solution so much it will require a stove. Anyway, I hope I'm not hindering my bees by not feeding them. They seem really strong right now and we have mild winters here. Thanks for your thoughts and time.

[@stevehappe8583]

I understand the fact that sugar is not soluble in cold water. It must be heated. Not boiled, but heated to the point where it can make a simple syrup solution. But I've seen many people dump honey water after processing and cooling their wax. Can this water be used to supplement their syrup?

[@sarahspencer1010]

Sugar will dissolve in Cool Water. We dissolve sugar in iced tea all the time. It would take longer for this quantity, but it will dissolve.

[@homelessjoe]

For anybody interested this is the same recipe for making your own hummingbird syrup.

[@vinofarm]

Joseph Lynn I've only ever used 1:1 in my hummingbird feeders. Have I been doing it wrong?

[@homelessjoe]

Doubtful. They probably aren't very picky, or possibly they prefer more water in dryer areas. In Northern California, I have had plenty of success with the 2:1 recipe though.

[@vinofarm]

Joseph Lynn I think I use 1:1 because I can mix it up in a bowl as needed. I'm not making large quantities of hummingbird food. Our hummingbird season is only about 4 months long. They're gone around September first. I'll try some 2:1 next spring and see what they do with it. Thanks!

[@powwer123]

2:1 to attract them and 1:1 to keep them around

[@sheilab3191]

Hummingbirds is 3 parts water, 1 part sugar

[@robertbower7461]

Is that all needed just for 1 🐝? Wow .

[@drrota]

One thing to note! If you burn the sugar, you'll have to throw it out, so keep stirring as you're pouring the sugar in.

[@jasonandrews9058]

Hi. I use brown sugar for my bees. Thanks for the video

[@vinofarm]

Jason Andrews That’s not recommended from what I’ve heard.

[@jasonandrews9058]

Thanks for the advice

[@kaitym9012]

There is nothing provided in brown sugar that the bees need, so it is best to not use it. If anything, the molasses present will cause your hives to develop issues with dysentery.

[@jesteris25]

nice stove you got that could have made a lot of candies as well lol

[@vinofarm]

If you ever buy a new stove or cooktop, get a 36" wide model. Soooooo much nicer to use and not that much more money. You just have to plan your space with that in mind.

[@jesteris25]

I keep that in mind I love big stoves I love to cook

[@craig6903]

I noticed a lot of video on KZbin says to use pure cane sugar. I know many companies make sugar from sugar beets. Is there any difference between the two? Is cane sugar better for the bees?

[@OhioDan62]

I have heard to only use cane sugar, so that's all I use

[@Pipefitter310]

How much water to 4 lb bags of sugar for spring feeding ?

[@vinofarm]

In spring, you want 1:1. 4lbs sugar, 4lbs water... My video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onakgn-GnLx6nac

[@time2fly2124]

water weighs 8.3lb per gallon, so roughly to make one "gallon" (because sugar is a solid and water is liquid, it will be slightly less than 1 liquid gallon) of syrup, you use one 4lb bag of sugar and a half gallon of water (4lb)

[@zwartgeloktgodenzoon]

Jim, never use hot water otherwise the sugar-mixture will become toxic. (use lukewarm water)

[@scotth5261]

Toxic?? How so?

[@joemurphy9974]

@@scotth5261 because it will produce HMF which is toxic to bees

[@DebCnbfre]

wow, so bees prefer the syrup that strong? I was using my hummer ratio, 2c water to 1 cup sugar. Now that the hummers have left, I have been feeding bees, at least someones bees, feeding them the same sugar water. Guess I will make it stronger. Wish I knew where to hive was at lol : )

[@vinofarm]

When feeding directly into the hive, the bees will eat some and store some. When they store it, they need to evaporate the water out of it to reduce the moisture content. By giving them a thicker mixture, they will be able to store it faster with less work, which is important as they are getting ready for winter.

[@DebCnbfre]

Thank you :)

[@DebCnbfre]

Maybe a sugar tray would be better in feeding them instead of with water. Like i said, they are not my bees they just come from somewhere to get my offerings. lol But with me feeding them from my front porch. Guess I could just use a sugar tray.. :) Not sure if it is safe to add my own hive to my yard. since I will be adopting 2 dogs this next summer. So that maybe a hazzard for them and the neighbors.. only place to put a hive ont the south side is right next to my home. At least I know I am helping the bees keep producing more bees for our world. They need all the help they can get. :)

[@357lockdown]

Hi Debbie,As far as the Dogs go...I have 3, and believe me, it doesn't take them long to learn not to go too close to the Bees, especially when they are in a bad mood...lol.

[@kaitym9012]

The heavier syrup is easier for the bees to dry as the ambient temps drop. Too thin and syrup and there is a higher chance that the syrup will ferment...something that is best to avoid.

[@harwellshoneyhive4712]

I've always measured mine by volume, not by weight. So 2 cups sugar to 1 cup water. The sugar concentration at weight measure is way too high IMHO. Where did you get your reference to measure by? Just curious. It also may have to do with our climate differences. I am in NC.

[@vinofarm]

I would think the higher the sugar concentration, the better. The bees need to evaporate out the excess water, so I'd rather give them any help I can. Especially this time of year with nights in the 30ºs. If you're measuring by volume, you're going to get much wetter syrup.

[@harwellshoneyhive4712]

That's true, but I would also think they are eating it instead of storing it so the water content would be ok for hydration as well. We are still in mid 60s at night, but starting to trend colder.

[@vinofarm]

Mine are in storage mode. It's the end of year rush up here in Massachusetts.

[@drrota]

Yes 2:1 is best in the fall. Once day temps get below 50F, bees can't evaporate the water. It turns into a moisture/heating liability. So below 50F is time to consider dry feed - fondant, sugar bricks, pollen patties, etc.

[@LuminaryXion]

Loving the silicon ring. Did you end up getting a larger size?

[@vinofarm]

Nope. I'm still wearing the same one I put on in the video 6 months ago. I don't know if my skin just got used to it or if the ring stretched, but there's no wrinkled skin anymore. Everything is great. I didn't expect it to last more than a few months.

[@simopr09]

It's a little dense as a syrup. This is used for what?

[@justinthibeault7212]

Feeding in the fall. The bees will store it for winter and they don't have work as much to get it down to the moisture content that they like.

[@evankeefer5321]

Feeding bees?

[@juleejames9977]

That would be one big batch of caramel if you let it boil!

[@vinofarm]

Haha! Yes.

[@jeremymoore16]

Fun fact for everyone.. 1 ml of water = 1 gram. 100% accurate all the time. Scale as needed.

[@simopr09]

Yes. 1 pure litter of water = 1Kg international system.

[@WhatAmIDoing85]

Is it just normal tap water..?

[@vinofarm]

Paul Gundry Yes, tap water.

[@normanwells2755]

4:24 I bet his wife wonders why he did do that over the sink.

[@LazarusLong]

Did you see how metric was so much simpler!!. LITRE not Liter... and use a large whisk (more effective) to stir IMHO

[@vinofarm]

Lazarus Long Yes, I agree metric is much simpler. 'Liters' is an acceptable United States spelling, but I will use the more common international spelling from now on. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[@tony123lol2]

Yeah!!

[@radheshyama1135]

Is White Satin Powdered Amalgamated Sugar made from beets OK to feed bees? Also, is “Brown” Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar OK to feed bees? www.honeybeesuite.com/is-organic-sugar-better-for-bees/ “Brown” sugar is bad for bees because it is made by taking refined white sugar and adding molasses back into it-and it’s the molasses part that contains all the solids. The ash content of brown sugar will vary depending on how much molasses is added, but molasses runs from 5 to 9% ash

[@vinofarm]

Pure granulated white sugar. That's it.

[@George-nx5lo]

gotta be one of the hardest spills to clean, just like super glue. don't get any on your stove top let me tell ya.

[@saleh426]

Then it's no longer pure honey...it's honey and sugar

[@vinofarm]

It’s feed for the bees. This is not harvested as honey.

[@saleh426]

Thanks for responding. Do you know why isn't honey used to feed the bees instead of the sugar?

[@Wosiewose]

@@saleh426 Economics... Sugar costs far less than honey, at least in the U.S.

[@sly9263]

Guess that's why they call it diaBEEtus

[@robertbower7461]

Bobby that’s bloody funny 😂 u were born for stand up .

[@MasterKenfucius]

Why is this being overly complicated? Just put 1/3 water in the pot, and then add sugar until you get the other 2/3s. Forget the weights. It just confused people.

[@vinofarm]

Ken Tichy Because sugar and water have different weights per volume. If you mix by volume you will use a lot more water and a get a thin syrup.

[@vinofarm]

Mixing by volume would be nearly 4:1 to get the same consistency.

[@MasterKenfucius]

@@vinofarm Look at your video (4:45). You had 6 quarts when you started. You had less than 3 times that amount when you finished. If you did what I said, you would have 18 quarts total (more than you got). So my 2:1 mix is thicker than yours, not thinner my friend.

[@vinofarm]

Ken Tichy There’s a lot of air in sugar. 2:1 measured in gallons is different than 2:1 by weight, right?

[@vinofarm]

Ken Tichy Your comment suggests that you could put 6 quarts of water and 12 quarts of sugar into a pot, melt the sugar and get 18 quarts out of it. You wouldn’t. Sugar doesn’t work like that. It takes up a lot less space when it melts.

[@iangodfrey4518]

Pounds. Quarts. Who the fuck uses these measurements?

[@vinofarm]

Several hundred million people use these measurements. About 85% of my viewership. Sorry for ruining your day.

[@tony123lol2]

Secend

[@DragoonEnder]

first!! @_@

[@tony123lol2]

Chris Newland wrong

[@DragoonEnder]

Tony Nguyen daaaannngggg. :( next time I won't watch the whole video first lol

[@tony123lol2]

Chris Newland lol

[@vinofarm]

I'm honored to be the host of a "first" battle on a sugar water video.

[@DragoonEnder]

Vino Farm it's because you're mainstream now buddy. Mainstream!