KNOW WHAT TO FEED
Hobby farmers tend to focus on their animals’ needs for health and nutrition. They are often aware of the importance of caring for their livestock and the need to monitor their wellbeing. When it comes to keeping bees in captivity, however, the issue of what happens if they escape becomes a dominant thought for hobby farmers.
Farmers who take up beekeeping in the wild may encounter unexpected setbacks. One of the biggest losses a beekeeper can experience is when the colony goes missing. Fortunately, if you want to keep your bees alive, there are plenty of resources available online for you to explore.
We can take advantage of the natural processes of nature by giving bees proper food, water, and protection throughout the year.
What to Feed?
Most late fall bee feeding is done with a thick syrup made with a 1:2 ratio of water to white sugar, which the bees tend to store. This means they'll need a larger amount of water in the spring and early fall to stimulate brood production.
Some beekeeping supply companies sell high fructose corn syrup formulated for bees. Some beekeepers use corn syrup as their only feed, whereas others combine it with honey or sugar to produce a natural sweetener that is good for the bees.
Honey, the sweet, sticky substance secreted by honey bees, is a popular food item. However, if honey is not pure, or has been stored for a while, it is often rejected by bee colonies. This is because honey is made primarily by the workers in the hive. The bees take in nectar from flowers, and after harvesting, it is stored in the hive.
You're going to have to eat more to keep your bees happy. And since you already have all that honey on your kitchen counter, why not go ahead and add some supplements? Bees make it look so easy!
Pollen is essential to the development of larvae, and its presence stimulates the bees to produce brood, so pollen substitutes are best in the early spring and early fall. However, pollen substitutes are not necessary for brood to develop; they are only needed for the bees to begin producing winter bees.
Fondant, or bee candy, is a solid form of sugar designed for emergency winter-feeding of bees. It’s the perfect winter treat for humans as well as bees.
There are times when starvation can become a real threat to a colony, such as a drought or a flood. When such conditions arise, ants can use the pheromone trail as a shortcut to help them find food. This technique is often called the "dance of death.
