How To Mix Sugar Syrup for Feeding Honeybees

Feeding honeybees with sugar syrup is a common and essential practice, especially when natural nectar is scarce. Beekeepers typically use two types of syrup: 1:1 (light syrup) and 2:1 (heavy syrup). Each serves a different purpose depending on the time of year and the bees’ needs.

Why Feed Sugar Syrup?

• 1:1 syrup (equal parts sugar and water by weight) mimics natural nectar and is used to:
  Stimulate brood rearing in spring
  Encourage comb building in new colonies
• 2:1 syrup (two parts sugar to one part water by weight) is used to:
  Help bees store food for winter in late summer or fall
  Boost food reserves quickly without overhydrating the hive

Basic Mixing Instructions

1. Consult the Sugar-to-Water Ratio by Gallon Chart on this page.

• Only mix what your bees need, or refrigerate what you don't feed to your bees. 

2. Use granulated white cane or beet sugar.

• Avoid brown sugar, molasses, or artificial sweeteners—they can harm bees.

3. Use clean, potable water.

• Tap water is fine if safe for human consumption.

4. Heat the water slightly to help dissolve the sugar.

• Do not boil or overheat the mixture, as this can break down sugars into harmful compounds like HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural), which is toxic to bees.

5. Stir until all sugar is completely dissolved.

• We have found an effective way to mix is to start with 2 clean buckets-one for sugar and one for water. 
• We keep two dedicated buckets with graduated markings on the inside for each level of sugar or water.  
• Add the sugar by pouring it into the hot water. Then repeat and pour this mixture back into the first bucket. Repeat this back and forth pouring until the sugar is dissolved. 
• When the syrup is CLEAR, all the sugar has been dissolved. 
•  Let the syrup cool to room temperature before feeding.

Tips for Success

• Feed inside the hive if possible, especially in cooler temperatures or during robbing season.
• Monitor feed levels regularly to avoid spoilage or fermentation.
• Stop feeding 2:1 syrup before temperatures drop too low, as bees need time to dehydrate and cap the syrup properly for winter use. Generally, once daytime temperatures are 50 degrees or lower bees stop eating liquid syrup. If your bees need resources at that point, it's best to switch to either a candy board, or "camp feeding."

Final Thought

Sugar syrup feeding is a practical, easy way to support your colony’s health and growth. Always tailor your syrup mix to the bees’ seasonal needs and be diligent about hygiene and storage. With a little preparation, your bees will be well-fed and better equipped to thrive.