Due to the recent wet and cold weather beekeepers may wish to monitor their colony food levels closely, particularly in any splits, nucleus colonies or colonies where the entire spring honey crop was removed. In some areas of the UK, our Inspectors are concerned at finding colonies that are starving. Feed can be prepared from refined white sugar and water mixed at a 2:1 ratio or one of the proprietary ready mixed syrups available from beekeeping equipment suppliers.

More information about mixing up sugar can be found in the Best Practice Guidelines no. 7 found on BeeBase.

With dryer and warmer weather however, the blackberry, lime and clover may soon be in flower and colonies should start to bring in an excess crop, so it is also important not to feed unnecessarily and risk adulterating honey with sugar syrup.

If you have any questions then please contact your local Inspector.

Kind regards,

National Bee Unit.