What sugar-to-water ratio should I use to feed bees?

Use 1:1 syrup (equal parts sugar and water by weight) in spring to stimulate brood rearing, 3:2 as a general-purpose feed, and 2:1 (two parts sugar to one part water) in fall to build winter stores. Thick syrup is easier for bees to convert to capped stores; thin syrup mimics a nectar flow.

When should I feed bees thin (1:1) syrup?

Feed 1:1 syrup in spring or whenever you want to stimulate brood rearing. Its water content mimics a natural nectar flow, encouraging the queen to lay and the colony to build up.

When should I feed bees thick (2:1) syrup?

Feed 2:1 syrup in late summer and fall to help colonies build winter stores. The lower water content means bees spend less energy evaporating it before capping.

Can I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses to make bee syrup?

No. Use only white granulated cane or beet sugar. Brown sugar, molasses, and unrefined sweeteners contain compounds that cause dysentery in bees. Honey from unknown sources can also transmit disease.

Should I boil sugar syrup for bees?

No. Heat the water until warm enough to dissolve the sugar, but do not boil. Boiling sugar syrup produces hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which is toxic to bees.

How much sugar do I need for one liter of 1:1 syrup?

For one liter of finished 1:1 syrup, you need roughly 715 g of water and 715 g of white granulated sugar. The exact amounts depend on the ratio and final volume — this calculator computes them based on sucrose displacement.

Sirups beregner

Beregn sukker og vandmængde til foder sirup

Free sugar syrup calculator for beekeepers. Use 1:1 (thin) syrup for spring stimulation, 3:2 (medium) as an all-purpose feed, and 2:1 (thick) for fall feeding to build winter stores. Pick a container size and ratio — exact sugar and water weights are computed from sucrose displacement so the finished syrup fills your container.

Units

Switch between metric and imperial measurements

Sirup forhold

Sukker til vand forhold (som vægt til volumen)

Beholder størrelse

Færdig mængde af sirup

Resultater

Vand

613 ml

(613 g)

Sukker

613 g

Færdig vægt

1.23 kg

Instruktioner

Afmål 613 ml (613 g) vand
Varm vandet op til det er lunkent (må ikke koge)
Tilsæt 613 g hvidt sukker
Rør rundt indtil sukkeret er helt opløst
Lad sirupsopløsningen afkøle til stuetemperatur inden fodring

Tips og brugsvejledning

Tynd sirup (1:1)

Bedst til forårs fodring, for at stimulere yngeludvikling og efterligne nektar indhentning. Anvendes når bierne skal motiveres til bygge op.

Medium sirup (3:2)

En god all-round sirup. Kan bruges både om foråret og til begrænset fodring om efteråret.

Tyk sirup (2:1)

Bedst til indfodring før vinter. Bierne kan hurtigt sætte det i tavler pga lavt indhold af vand.

Generelle tips

Brug altid hvid, granuleret sikker - aldrig rørsukker, brown farin, sirup eller kunstige sødestoffer. Flydende foder må ikke koges, da der kan dannes HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural), der er giftigt for bierne. Fodring bør ske om aftenen for at reducere risiko for røveri.