As autumn paints the landscape with vibrant hues and temperatures begin to drop, beekeepers across the country turn their attention to fall feeding. Preparing honeybee colonies for the winter is a critical task, and one of the most important aspects of this preparation is providing adequate fall feeding. In this blog post, we will explore the when, what, and how of fall feeding for Dadant, a leading name in the beekeeping industry.
When to Begin Fall Feeding: Timing is crucial when it comes to fall feeding for your Dadant honeybee colonies. In most regions of North America, you’ll want to start fall feeding in late summer or early autumn, typically around August or September. The exact timing can vary depending on your local climate and the specific needs of your hives. The goal is to ensure that your bees have enough stored honey and sugar syrup to sustain them through the winter when forage becomes scarce.
What to Feed in the Fall: When it comes to fall feeding, Dadant recommends using a combination of honey and sugar syrup. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sugar Syrup: The primary source of carbohydrates for your bees during the fall and winter months. Dadant suggests mixing a solution of 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water) or even 2.5:1 sugar to water for fall feeding. This thicker syrup provides a higher concentration of sugar, which is essential for winter survival.
- Honey: If you have honey frames that you’ve harvested from your hives earlier in the year, consider returning some of this honey to the bees. Honey is a natural food source for bees and is an excellent way to supplement their winter stores. Dadant advises using frames that have been fully capped and are free from any signs of disease.
How to Feed in the Fall: Fall feeding for Dadant beekeepers can be accomplished through a variety of methods:
- Top Feeders: Dadant recommends using top feeders, which can be placed on top of the hive’s inner cover. These feeders allow for easy access by the bees and help prevent robbing by other colonies. You can fill the top feeder with your sugar syrup mixture or honey frames.
- Frame Feeding: If you choose to use honey frames for fall feeding, simply place them in the hive, ensuring that they are close to the brood nest. This allows the bees easy access to the honey throughout the winter.
- Boardman Entrance Feeders: These are an option for smaller hives or nucs. They can be filled with sugar syrup and placed at the hive entrance, allowing the bees to access the food easily.
- Fondant or Candy Boards: Some beekeepers prefer to provide their bees with fondant or candy boards. These are essentially solid sugar blocks that can be placed directly on top of the frames. Dadant offers pre-made candy boards for convenient fall feeding.
- Feeding Stimulants: In some cases, it may be beneficial to add a feeding stimulant like Honey-B-Healthy to your sugar syrup mixture. This can help encourage foraging activity and ensure that the bees are taking in the necessary nutrition.
Fall feeding for Dadant beekeepers is a vital part of ensuring the health and survival of their honeybee colonies through the winter. By understanding when, what, and how to feed your bees during this critical period, you can help them build up the necessary stores to endure the cold months ahead. Remember to monitor your hives regularly and adjust your feeding strategy as needed to provide the best care for your bees. Dadant offers a wide range of beekeeping supplies and resources to support beekeepers in their fall feeding efforts, making it easier to keep your colonies strong and thriving.
Photo by Timothy Paule II: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-crate-with-bees-2749847/