Can I Feed My Bees Sugar Syrup?

by Harold
(Belize)

I have purchased seven hives of bees, do I need to feed the bees with sugar syrup and do I need to put more hive boxs on top right away?

~ ~ ~ ~ Jan's Answer ~ ~ ~ ~

Harold, congratulations on your purchase of seven bee hives, I hope you have much success and enjoyment from your new hobby in Beekeeping.

At the beginning of spring when the honey bee queen starts laying her eggs beekeepers usually start to add more boxes to the top of their hives. The queen doesn't venture into these boxes and the
honey bees fill these with delicious honey.

Many beekeepers do feed their bees with sugar syrup, however there are many who prefer not to by leaving enough honey in their hives to last their bees throughout the winter months.

One of the best websites I have read about how to feed your bees can be found at John's Beekeeping Notebook. John gives excellent tips and advice about the uses of sugar syrup for feeding bees.