It's that time of year when many beekeepers find themselves feeding their bees some form of sugar to help them get through the winter dearth. Personally, I don't like to do it, both because of the extra work involved and the cost of sugar, but I understand that sugar-fed bees are more useful than dead bees. Also, sugar is still cheaper than honey at this point in time. That being said, I'd rather leave enough honey on the hives to get the bees through the winter if at all possible.
It's thought that Einstein once said, "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left." It seems that the fate of bees and the fate of man are closely intertwined (no surprise to us beekeepers). So if too much simple sugar is bad for man, may it also be bad for bees? Some research suggests that the honeybee's natural bacteria levels are thrown off by the introduction of sugar into the beehive. This may further suppress the bees' already weakened immune system, thereby making them even more susceptible to pests and disease. All the more reason to feed bees their own honey and not sugar, again, if at all possible.
A simple rule-of-thumb, nature's way is the best way. I don't know if it's true, but I like it.
It's thought that Einstein once said, "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left." It seems that the fate of bees and the fate of man are closely intertwined (no surprise to us beekeepers). So if too much simple sugar is bad for man, may it also be bad for bees? Some research suggests that the honeybee's natural bacteria levels are thrown off by the introduction of sugar into the beehive. This may further suppress the bees' already weakened immune system, thereby making them even more susceptible to pests and disease. All the more reason to feed bees their own honey and not sugar, again, if at all possible.
A simple rule-of-thumb, nature's way is the best way. I don't know if it's true, but I like it.
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