A 1 1 bee food refers to a one-to-one mixture of sugar and water. This specific ratio is commonly used by beekeepers to feed honey bees.
Understanding 1:1 Sugar Syrup
Bees require energy, especially during certain times of the year or when starting new colonies. While nectar is their natural energy source, beekeepers often supplement this with sugar syrup.
The "1:1" or "one-to-one" in "1 1 bee food" indicates the ratio of sugar to water. This ratio can be measured either:
- By Weight: Equal weight of sugar and water.
- By Volume: Equal volume of sugar and water.
According to the provided reference, a one-to-one mixture of sugar and water is given to bees for specific purposes.
Why Use 1:1 Sugar Syrup?
This particular concentration of sugar syrup serves vital functions for a bee colony:
- Stimulating Brood Rearing: Feeding a 1:1 syrup can mimic the influx of nectar during a spring or summer flow, encouraging the queen to lay more eggs and the colony to expand.
- Drawing Out Foundation: When bees are given new frames with foundation (the base material for their comb), the energy provided by 1:1 syrup helps them build out the wax combs more quickly. This is crucial for establishing new hives or adding space to growing ones.
How to Make 1:1 Bee Food
Making 1:1 sugar syrup is straightforward. The reference provides a specific measurement for creating a gallon of this mixture:
| Ingredient | Amount (for 1 Gallon) |
|---|---|
| Sugar | 10 2/3 cups |
| Water | 10 2/3 cups |
Instructions:
- Heat the water (do not boil) to help the sugar dissolve.
- Add the sugar to the warm water.
- Stir until all the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear.
- Let the syrup cool completely before feeding it to the bees. Feeding hot syrup can harm them.
It's important to use plain white granulated sugar (sucrose) for bee syrup. Avoid using brown sugar, powdered sugar, or other sugar types as they contain components that can be harmful to bees.
When to Feed 1:1 Syrup
Beekeepers typically feed 1:1 syrup in the spring or summer. A thicker syrup, like 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water), is often used in the fall to help bees build up winter stores more quickly, as it requires less effort for them to dehydrate it for storage.
Knowing the correct ratio and timing for feeding sugar syrup is a key practice in beekeeping to support colony health and growth.
