Feeding means supplying from outside what the colony cannot get from natural forage. It is a management tool, not a routine.

The basic question is always the same: what does this colony actually need? Carbohydrate, protein, or neither?

Two distinct needs

• Carbohydrate (syrup, fondant): Energy. For flight, for heating and for winter stores
• Protein (pollen, pollen substitute): For brood rearing and the development of young bees

Giving syrup does not grow a colony; it gives energy. To increase bee numbers, protein is needed.

Syrup

Given in warm weather; the bees process and store it.

• Thin syrup is used in spring as stimulative feeding; it gives the impression of a flow and supports laying
• Thick syrup is used in autumn to build winter stores; it is easier for the bees to process

Syrup given late cannot be processed; it stays moist in the hive and ferments.

Fondant

Solid feed suits cold weather. The bee must find water to process it, but she can reach it within the cluster.

It is the main form of emergency winter feeding. It is placed on the frames, where the cluster can reach it directly.

Pollen and substitutes

Natural pollen is best; substitutes offer an approximation.

When it makes sense:

• In early spring, to start brood rearing before natural pollen is available
• During long dearths
• In queen rearing and royal jelly production

It is unnecessary when forage is available and may draw the colony away from natural sources.

How to feed

• Inside the hive, colony by colony. Open feeding starts robbing, spreads disease and rewards the strongest colony rather than the one in need
• Feed in the late afternoon, once flight has ended
• Do not spill. Spilt syrup attracts robbing
• Prevent drowning. The feeder must have a climbing surface or floating material
• Keep feeders clean. Residues go mouldy and ferment

When not to feed

No feeding while supers are on. The bees process the syrup and store it in the comb; what results is not honey. This distinction is absolute, both legally and ethically.

The drawback of overfeeding

• Syrup stored in the brood chamber narrows the space the queen has to lay in
• Unnecessary feeding does not make a colony lazy but it does raise costs
• Excessive winter stores create a space problem in spring

The criterion for deciding

The most reliable way of deciding whether to feed is to follow the hive weight. Measurement rather than guesswork prevents both unnecessary feeding and feeding too late.