Feeding Honey Bees Sugar | Beekeeping Academy | Ep. 37

[@daleford5531]

Your video is great and I always appreciate your mentoring..we've taken bees from there natural environment a thick hollow tree to a big open box and hope they live .I've noticed here in my constant wet cold warm environment on the west coast..my bees will starve eating only honey..I feed foundant and makes a huge difference in wintering.

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Thank you for sharing!

[@daleford5531]

I'm one of those bee keepers that's been confused for 9 years!!

[@vegasbees]

Nice video and great info 💯

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Thanks for watching!

[@CornerstoneHoneyBees]

I was REALLY hoping you would reference the study done by Randy Oliver at Scientific Beekeeping where he actually compared the results of sugar from 2:1 vs 1:1. His results showed that the concentration DID NOT MATTER. The only thing that mattered was the total amount of sugar that was given. As far as getting the sugar to dissolve - the water comes out of my tap at 140 degrees (most people's tap is 120). At 140, I have no problem getting 2:1 concentration (and probably even a little higher) of sugar to dissolve. And since I mix my feed 15 gallons at a time, having it not spoil is a big deal to me...

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Thanks for your comments.

[@phillipriggs3375]

I buy 25 - 50 lb bags at Costco mix 8lbs of water (1 Gallon) to 8 lbs of sugar (2- 4 lb.bags) nothing but granulated sugar. I have a plastic pitcher size of 4 Lb bag of sugar to dip from bulk bags. They also make Medium frame feeders. Jars may burst during hard freeze. Watch this video twice lots of good information.

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Thank you for sharing your method!

[@BakerBees]

Awesome vids. Thanks

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Thank you for the support!

[@A1B0849sa]

Sir is there any thoughts/practices of maintaining or helping bees to keep the ideal temperature inside the hive during cold winter break?

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

The best thing you can do during winter in cold climates is (1) ensure the colony has a critical mass of bees, (2) ensure the colony has a critical mass of stored food, and (3) insulate the hive. We have a video planned on this topic for later in 2025.

[@swohiobees]

Excellent video, thank you. Don't forget to REMOVE that queen excluder before Winter.

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Great reminder, and thank you!

[@DragonFly-e9h]

Dr Ellis, what are your thoughts on "Fat Bees - Skinny Bees byDoug Somerville"?

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

I like the book. I think it was a good first synthesis on honey bee nutrition. It no longer is the most up-to-date resource on the topic. However, it remains a good book.

[@LilBeesKnees]

Great video! Can you do a video on feeding pollen too?

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

Coming right up!

[@CornerstoneHoneyBees]

when you do, PLEASE talk about regional differences. For example, here in east Texas, we have natural pollen available pretty much 12 months out of the year. So for us, feeding supplemental pollen is not necessary (especially for hobbyists).

[@Xray.71]

What size holes to drill in the mason jar lids?

[@UFHoneyBeeLab1]

The holes in the mason jar lid need to be small enough so that the surface tension will hold the liquid in the jar, but big enough for the bees to reach their proboscis through. Just the tip of a nail should be plenty.

[@Xray.71]

@@UFHoneyBeeLab1 thanks!

[@jptyagi2667]

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