Free beekeeping tools › Sugar syrup calculator
Sugar syrup calculator for bees
Choose a ratio and enter what you know: the sugar, water and resulting syrup are calculated instantly. Ratios are sugar : water by weight.
Quick chart: for 10 litres of syrup
| Ratio (sugar : water by weight) | Sugar | Water | Syrup weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | 6,1 kg | 6,1 L | 12,3 kg |
| 3:2 | 7,7 kg | 5,1 L | 12,9 kg |
| 2:1 | 8,8 kg | 4,4 L | 13,3 kg |
Frequently asked questions
What is the sugar syrup ratio for bees?
Use 1:1 (1 kg sugar + 1 litre water) in spring to stimulate build-up and 2:1 (2 kg sugar + 1 litre water) in autumn for winter stores. Ratios are by weight; 1 litre of water counts as 1 kg.
How much syrup does 1 kg of sugar make?
At 1:1, 1 kg of sugar and 1 litre of water make about 1.6 litres of syrup; at 2:1, 1 kg of sugar and 0.5 litres of water make about 1.1 litres. Dissolved sugar adds roughly 0.63 litres of volume per kilogram.
How much sugar does a colony need for winter?
In a temperate climate a strong colony usually needs about 15–20 kg of stores for winter. Subtract the honey already in the hive and feed the difference; 1 kg of sugar makes about 1.2 kg of stores.
When should you not feed syrup?
Do not feed syrup while honey supers are on for harvest, as it ends up in the honey. When it gets too cold the bees cannot take liquid syrup; use fondant instead.
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In the knowledge library
Feeding Syrup: When and How Feeding: Syrup, Fondant and Pollen – When and How Feeding Fondant and Candy: When and How Beekeeping calendar (month by month)
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