I was just wondering if it would not be better to feed the bees with fruit juice instead of sugar water? My reasoning is that it should be healthier for them - I know from experiance that bees will happily eat the juice from fruit that has fallen off the tree or is damaged in some way...
If you're thinking of using bottled juice, even those that are labeled as 100% juice aren't 100% juice.
I was thinking of crushing my own fruit so I know what is in it...
>I was just wondering if it would not be better to feed the bees with fruit juice instead of sugar water? My reasoning is that it should be healthier for them
It is not better for them. Fruit juice will give them dysentery. Just because it is better for a human does not mean it is better for bees. The best is to let them gather nectar. It is what they do. If starvation is an issue, then sugar syrup is next best as it doesn't have solids that they can't handle. A bee's digestive system is not made to digest fruit juice. They will take it, but only if they can't find nectar.
Juice may ferment faster than sugar water and you could end up with drunk bees. Fruits also have a much stronger scent and would invite pest such as ants. Then there's the cost difference.
As far as being good for them, someone else may know how large quantities of fruit juice may affect a honeybee hive.
I bought two feeders for two hives, used them about a week and removed them. I'm not planning on ever using them again.I'll be saving 10-15 honey frames this year to feed back in emergencies. Next year I'll stock up more to use for splits.
.
Once I tried to feed to bees crushed blueberry juice and sugar to get blueberry consentrate but they did not suck it.
But in truth, honey has only sugar and energy. Other nutritients are in pollen.
Sugar is as good food as honey. Pollen quality is important.