What Do I Feed My Bees?
Suuuuwwwwieeee beeeees!! Come get your vittles!! I am a strong believer in animal wifery and husbandry, which to me means housing them in hives that they are comfortable and productive in, taking care of them when they are sick, making sure they have water, and feeding them when they are hungry.
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I had really good success over-wintering my hives last year with Better Bee coozies. So that’s what those black puffy things are. ⠀
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Every time I post something on social media about feeding my bees, people want to know “what are you feeding your bees!?” So - here is a permanent place to refer back to.
In the early spring and late fall, I feed Gunter Hauk’s “Healing Tea for Honey Bees.” His recipe is here, and if you don’t have access to your own good herbs you can buy his mix here. I feed in one-gallon feeding buckets from Better Bee, turned upsidedown onto the hole of the inner cover - with an empty super (and lid) on top to cover the bucket.
DO NOT feed when the honey flow is on!! You DO NOT want sugar syrup in your honey, and that is what will happen.
In the winter, I make this tea as a base and then mix it with sugar to make a scoopable “candy.”
I don’t have a recipe (as I do it by feel, look, and smell), but I’m happy to tell you the ingredients. ⠀
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• Pure cane (non GMO) sugar ⠀
• Bee tea ⠀
• Crystalized honey* from the uncapping tank ⠀
• Essential oils of lemongrass, wintergreen, and spearmint (just a couple of drops)⠀
• Braggs apple cider vinegar (a small splash) ⠀
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I start by heating the bee tea, then add sugar a scoop at a time, constantly stirring. When it is the texture of cake dough I add the essential oils and vinegar, then pour it into cake molds. After cooling for an hour or so (or overnight, if it’s late), I feed the bees on their inner cover, with an empty super on top to give them room.
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Yes. They are super loved
* Every time I mention I feed my bees honey - the internet loses its mind. Yes, I am aware that honey can vector American Foulbrood, and now you know, too. I only use honey from my own bees, and I am 100% sure that none of them have AFB.
