Feeding Bees Sugar Water: A Practical Guide
Most beekeepers will face a situation where they need to feed their bees sugar water. While sugar water is not a replacement for honey or natural forage, it can help sustain a colony that is low on food. I’ll share when feeding may be helpful, how to make sugar water for bees and how I use it in my apiary.
We beekeepers get some funny looks pushing carts full of sugar through the market. But, used at the right time and for the right reason, supplemental feeding can be an important part of good hive management.
When Do Bees Need Sugar Water?
Honey bees do not always need supplemental feeding. A healthy colony with plenty of stored honey and good natural forage is usually better off gathering its own food.
Newly installed packages, caught swarms and new splits are common situations where feeding may be helpful.
Established colonies may also need help during a drought, prolonged poor weather or when food stores become dangerously low.
Colonies short on stored honey going into fall may need supplemental feeding before winter.
Routine hive inspections are one of the best ways to decide whether an established colony needs help. Look at stored honey and consider what is blooming, recent weather and colony strength.
Hive weight can also provide a clue. I often lift the back of a hive to get a feel for its weight. If most colonies feel heavy and one feels noticeably light, it is worth a closer look.
Don’t feed according to a calendar. Consider the colony, its food stores and local forage conditions before deciding whether supplemental feeding is needed.
How to Make Sugar Water For Bees
Sugar water (or sugar syrup) is made by dissolving regular granulated white cane sugar in water.
Do not use brown sugar, raw sugar, molasses or artificial sweeteners. Plain white granulated sugar and water are all you need.
Choosing the Right Sugar Water Ratio
The two most common ratios are 1:1 and 2:1. You can measure by weight or volume—don’t overthink this part.
1:1 sugar water: Mix equal amounts of sugar and water, such as 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water.
2:1 sugar water: Use twice as much sugar as water, such as 8 cups of sugar and 4 cups of water.
Warm water helps dissolve the sugar, especially for thicker 2:1 syrup. There is no need to boil it. These ratios are guidelines for different feeding goals, not rigid rules.
One-Gallon Sugar Water Recipe
For about one gallon of finished 1:1 syrup, use:
- 10 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 10 2/3 cups warm water
Don’t stress over exact measurements. Even natural nectar varies in sweetness.
When to Use 1:1 or 2:1 Sugar Water
The ratio you choose depends on why you are feeding and the needs of the colony.
Generally, 1:1 syrup is commonly used during spring and periods of colony growth, while 2:1 is often used when colonies need to increase food stores before winter.
These are guidelines—not rules. Climate, forage, colony strength and stored food should always be considered.
| Situation | Common Choice | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| New colony or spring buildup | 1:1 | Supports colony development and comb building |
| Temporary warm-season shortage | 1:1 | Provides food until forage improves |
| Fall storage shortage | 2:1 | Provides a more concentrated feed |
| Cold-weather emergency | Solid feed may be preferable | Avoids adding excess liquid moisture |
During a nectar dearth, drought or prolonged poor weather, a colony with low stores may need temporary feeding.
In fall, colonies short on winter stores are often fed 2:1 syrup. See my fall bee feeding guide for more information.
Liquid feeding becomes more difficult as temperatures fall. If a colony needs emergency food during cold weather, solid feed may be a better choice.
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How to Feed a Colony Safely
There are several types of bee feeders, and each has advantages and disadvantages.
Whatever you choose, avoid spilling or leaking syrup around the hive as this can increase the risk of honey bee robbing.
When robbing is a concern, feeding inside the hive is often a better choice than open feeding.
Never feed sugar water while honey supers intended for human harvest are on the hive.
Bees may store the syrup in the comb along with nectar. Also, avoid overfeeding, which can crowd the brood nest with stored syrup.
Sugar water can spoil, especially in warm weather. If it becomes cloudy, sour, moldy or smells fermented, throw it out and clean the feeder before adding fresh syrup.
How Long Should You Continue Feeding?
There is no set amount of time to feed bees sugar water. A new colony may need help while getting established, while an established colony may only need temporary feeding during a nectar shortage.
As natural forage improves and the colony has adequate food stores, supplemental feeding may no longer be needed. For more details, see when to stop feeding bees sugar water.
Expert Tips
Ask five beekeepers about feeding bees and you may get six different answers—and someone at the local beekeeping association meeting will probably tell you that you are wrong!
A couple of tips from my years in the bee yard:
- Watch new colonies closely. New beekeepers sometimes stop feeding packages or splits too soon. Check their progress and food stores rather than feeding for a set number of weeks.
- Plain sugar water is fine. I sometimes add a feeding supplement or use homemade essential oil for bees recipes but additives are optional.
FAQs
Feeding bees does not make them lazy. In fact, honey bees prefer natural nectar. They may ignore your sugar water if food in the field is plentiful.
The bees will use any nectar (or nectar-like substance) to make honey. Honey produced from sugar water instead of nectar – that’s a no no. And, its not real honey.
Bees may ignore sugar water when plenty of natural nectar is available. Also, check that the syrup is fresh and the feeder is working properly.
Yes. Make small batches and store extra syrup in the refrigerator until needed. If it becomes cloudy, sour or smells fermented, throw it out.
Final Thoughts
Making and feeding sugar water for bees is a lot of work and expense (if you have more than one hive). You should not have to feed every colony all season. If this is happening, something is wrong. Pay attention to food stores, weather and natural forage—and let the condition of the hive tell you when help is needed.
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your website and I have been reading your book. I am in Bay City Michigan and we have four new packages of honeybees information and guidance is very important. Thank you so much for what you do Ray.
Thank you so much for the kind words and taking the time to tell me. I hope you have a very successful season.
Good thoughts about feeding my bees. Learned some things that will help me care
for them better . God made these beautiful hard workers to help us in many ways . Thanks
I have a plant nursery business. I’ve just started my 37th year. I always feed the hummingbirds. This year I had about 12 on a daily basis. For years we would seldom see a honeybee. This year my hummingbirds left in August because they couldn’t feed because of so many bees. Hundreds of them. I have actually held up on fungicidin my plants because I didn’t want to harm the bees. I have no idea where their hive is located. I read on the computer to feed them the sugar water. I put out 3 feeders off my porch every morning and they cover it in like a mat on top of each other. I even have to refill it during the day. How can I locate their hive? Should I get a bee box? I know nothing about raising bees. My son enjoys feeding them. He has only been stung once when one got caught under his arm bringing his arm down from hanging the feeder. They swarm all around us and even get on our arms and hands. I’m concerned about cold weather coming and if they will survive. I also need to fungicide my plants but I don’t want to hurt the bees. What would be your best suggestion for my volume of bees?
Barbara, it does sound like you have had some bees move in nearby. This could be because of wild colonies moving into the area or some beekeeping neighbors. I would not get a bee box unless you have a passion for learning how to manage colonies. When they are feeding at a station they are quite calm and I enjoy watching them too. If you have the time, you could try to follow some of them after they fill up and leave – sometimes you can track them back to the hive. As for the fungicide, I would spray it a bit later in the day after most of the foraging bees have left and that may help prevent serious effects.
Hi, I have left over bee syrup [sugar water] left from last year it was frozen in my shed all winter it has a few specs of mold on it ,can I reheat it an use it or use as is or throw it away and start with fresh
I would err on the side of caution and make fresh.
Why feed bees sugar water when there is no nutritional value to it?
Wouldn’t a patty be better? Or honey?
In my opinion, cane sugar water is closest to natural nectar. It does not take the place of real nectar but it is a carb source and will keep the bees alive. Honey (of their own) would be great but most beekeepers don’t have that and feeding honey from unknown sources is risky for disease. Also, the smell of honey in the bee yard being feed tends to make robbing worse. Patties can be very beneficial but carbs in that form do not encourage brood rearing as much as liquid feed. Natural nectar and real honey is always best. But, there are time when I feel like sugar water can be a boost. Each beekeeper must weigh the pros and cons and make a choice for his/her apiary.
I live in N. Central Arkansas. We have had 2/10 in of rain since May. Everything is dying if it is not watered. I try to water some plants, but I did not get much garden planted this year. I have some bees coming to my hummingbird feeders, and oriole feeder. Last night I found your web page. I am wondering how much and which strength I should feed theses bees. One of my neighbors said they try not to start feeding theirs till later in the fall, however they have a large garden. The quart hummingbird feeder I have has an open trough like a chicken waterer. I filled it 2/3 full last night with 2:1 nectar. This morning there is a mass of bees on the tray as well as on the jar and all over the ground below the feeder. My neighbor said they feed theirs in a shallow pan with corn cobs in it to reduce drowning. I have pulled a couple supplement tub lids and picked some gum balls to use instead of corn cobs. I have a batch of 1:1 nectar cooling.
Hi Mary, It has been dry here to and of so hot. Thankfully, I have not seen my bees on the hummingbird feeder – yet. One to one sugar water, just plain granular sugar is the best liquid. I am assuming you are just wanting to help the hungry bees and these are not your own beehives. If so, providing a little sugar water in a drown-free environment is okay. Just know that you may have a veritable “bee tornado” out there. What you are doing sounds okay – just place it well away from your home and feeder. Bucket feeders are another option but unless you are feeding bees from your hives – that can get expensive. https://carolinahoneybees.com/bucket-feeder-for-bees/
I do have a question. I keep hummingbird feeders in my backyard and have for years. Recently in the afternoon I find the feeders are surrounded by bees. I’ve never had this happen before. A neighbor several streets over keeps beehives and I’m wondering if these belong to her hives. Is this sugar water which is a ratio of 4:1 Is ok for the bees? Also since the bees are around, the hummingbirds don’t seem to be interested in this feeder.
What should I do if anything? I want to help the bees but I’d like the hummingbirds to come back! Thanks.
Hi Mary, those bees are hungry. There must not be natural nectar sources in the area right now. If you know your neighbor, you might ask her if she is feeding her bees. Put in a nice way – she may not know they are that hungry. Unfortunately, beekeepers can not control where bees fly – but we do have a responsibility to try to maintain them. Likely, in a few weeks something will begin to bloom again and the bees will refocus.
Hello Miss Charlotte I have two new hives (packages). My question is how long do I feed them sugar syrup? Is this something that you do all summer long? I want to make sure they are prepared for this coming winter. The hives are doing very well. I have added a second brood boxes and they are starting to fill up. I am not anticipating any honey supers this year? Thankyou for all of your help!
Check out my post on Feeding Package Bees Successfully.
How often do you change the water for a frame feeder? I received a package of bees Thurs, today is Monday. Very small amount of sugar water gone. Small amount of bees built 2 frames of 1/3% of frame in that time. I’m in middle Georgia.
I don’t usually change it out unless its been in there 3 weeks or so. They may be getting enough nectar in the field right now. But I would continue to offer them some along because the field nectar will go away eventually and then the bees will be thankful for the syrup.
My guess would be that although you don’t have hot/cold seasons – you do have foraging seasons. Sometimes there is more natural nectar around and the bees don’t need the extra food as bad. I know for myself, I see this happen here. If I place a feeder outside when other natural food is available – it is mostly ignored! Aren’t bees fascinating!
I live on a tropical island – Guam. I have no bee hive on my property; however, I have placed a sugar water feeder outside for the bees that are in the area. I live in a typical housing area and not on a range and the property is not large.
I’ve been feeding the bees hundreds if not thousands for months, about a year or so. They would arrive a sunrise and leave a sunset. Everyday like clockwork.
Then we started attracting the Greater Banded Hornets. Wife and I were killing about 20 of these beasts every day. No idea where their nest is – no nests of any kind around my house.
This was going on for about 4 months and suddenly for the last 3 days no hornets – my guess is that someone must have eliminated the hornet nest, where ever it was.
That’s wonderful for us; but, suddenly I’ve noticed no bees at all at sunrise. They come by the hundreds in the early afternoon and they don’t stay until sunset but leave a few hours before. This has been going on for 2 days now.
Question: We don’t have seasons here (just rain or dry) – But, do bees have schedules? Do bees in the tropics follow some sort of seasonal patterns? Or do you think the hornets are playing a part some how? Perhaps the bees moved to a new home and are setting up house? I’m very curious.
If they are not ready for Winter with lots of stored food, keep that feeder full. A strong colony has thousands of workers – you can’t feed them too much in a day. Also, with an outdoor feeder we are feeding other insects too but if you have them – you might put out more than one feeder and you did a good job keeping your bee feeder well away from the hive entrance!
Hi beekeeper Charlotte. Thank you for all this wonderful information. I have a question about how much to feed my bees during the day. It is late summer approaching fall and they definitely did not have enough flowers to draw from. I filled up a gallon feeder and they emptied it a little later than mid day from 6 o’clock in the morning. Should I fill it up again or is that enough for the day? It is about 500 feet away from their hive which is a top bar.
What are your thoughts on Hive Alive vs. Honey B Healthy? Is one “better” than the other? I am a first-year beekeeper. I caught two swarms at the end of May and have been feeding them since they started with bare frames. I have debated on adding a supplement to the sugar syrup (1:1) that I am currently feeding them and would appreciate your thoughts.
I have used it and think it is very good too.
I have mixed feelings… most of the time I had rather only feed bees things that are as close to what they would collect as possible. The HBH has been tested by so many beekeepers that I feel comfortable with it when used in small amounts.
Hi Charlotte,
Thanks for all the precious advice! I keep reading non stop all your articles.
I have a question about the sugar water : can I infuse the water with herbs such as sage and thyme before mixing it with the sugar? Wouldn’t that be better than using HE?