At certain times of the year, food sources become scarce for bees. This realization is at the origin of the "No Mow May" movement, which encourages homeowners to delay the first mowing to let dandelions bloom in their lawns.
You can also help bees during certain crucial periods by offering them homemade syrup that can be prepared in just a few minutes. Similar to the nectar bees collect from flowers, this syrup can be consumed directly by the bees or transported to be preserved and transformed into honey.
Find out how to make syrup for bees and make a feeder from items you have on hand in this article.
This will allow you to play a vital role in supporting bees during times when food is scarce. Be careful, however, not to feed them continuously throughout the season. It is essential for their health that bees continue to forage!
When should you feed bees?
The syrup can be given to bees in early spring to help meet their needs at a time when winter reserves are depleted and flowers are scarce. It can also be given when adverse weather conditions result in a decrease in the nectar and pollen sources available.
In summer, feed bees only if they are threatened by nectar shortage or extreme heat.
Don't offer bees syrup when the garden is in bloom. They may prefer this easy food source rather than seeking out natural, nutritious nectar that better meets their needs, keeps them healthy and ensures the survival of the hives.
The best way to help pollinators survive is to share your garden with them. Give them access to a beautiful variety of honey-producing plants that bloom throughout the season to limit the periods of shortage that require them to resort to unnatural food sources.
Read our article to discover the best plants to grow in your garden to attract and feed pollinators: How to attract and feed pollinators
Ingredients to make syrup to feed bees
- Water
- 1 kg of granulated white cane sugar (any other sugar, even organic, may contain indigestible particles that could harm your bees)
- Apple cider vinegar (if you change the quantities, consider that you need one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per litre of water)
- A sprig of fresh thyme (optional)
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp. honey
How to make 50-50 syrup for bees, step by step
- Bring 1 litre of tap water to a boil.
- Add a pinch of salt (to make the syrup more digestible).
- Infuse a sprig of fresh thyme (optional).
- Once the water has boiled, remove it from the heat (remove the thyme and strain). The water should be hot enough to dilute the sugar, but not boiling, to prevent the syrup from caramelizing.
- Stir in 1 kg of granulated white cane sugar until completely dissolved.
- Add a tablespoon of cider vinegar to acidify the mixture. This makes it more easily digestible by bees and helps preserve it.
- Add a tablespoon of honey (optional).
- Once at room temperature, bottle the syrup, ideally in a glass bottle. Avoid contamination by ensuring the container is clean.
- Store the syrup in a cool place or in the refrigerator.
- Serve warm.
To make smaller quantities of syrup, use 500 ml of water, also dividing the other quantities by two. The sugar concentration of the syrup may vary slightly from batch to batch, but this will not cause any problems to the bees.
How to feed bees
You can make a durable bee feeder using a Mason jar.
The same system can be used to provide water to bees, but you can also easily make our bee waterer (without any risk of drowning). Consult our article: Watering station for bees
What you need to make a bee feeder
- A Mason jar with a lid
- A nail or small drill
- 50-50 syrup
- A plate or shallow saucer
How to make a bee feeder
- Poke several small holes in the Mason jar lid. The holes should be small enough to prevent the syrup from leaking out quickly.
- Fill the jar with 50-50 syrup.
- Close the lid tightly.
- Invert the jar over a plate or shallow bowl. The contents should drain very slowly.
- Place small pebbles in the plate around the jar to create small islands for the bees to land on if the plate contains too much liquid. Bees drown easily.
Where should I place my bee feeder?
Place your feeder in areas frequented by pollinators, such as vegetable gardens or flower beds. Choose a stable, shaded spot to prevent the sugar solution from fermenting too quickly. Elevate the jar to prevent the feeder from being invaded by ants and other insect pests.
Also avoid placing your feeder too close to the hives to prevent “traffic” jams.
When to clean and refill the feeders?
Clean and refill your bee feeders frequently to prevent mold growth and syrup fermentation. Do this every two to three days, depending on the appetite of your little foragers and weather conditions.
