Feeding dry sugar, dehydration?

[Light]

In the ABC XYZ Book it says not to feed dry sugar during winter when it is too cold for bees to get water because they will die of dehydration?  Bushfarms in one post wrote that dry sugar is fine for winter.  I have also read that they will only take dry sugar when the temp drops instead of a 1:1 mix.  Thoughts?

[Brian D. Bray]

Both are correct.  Feeding granulated or powdered sugar requires moisture for the bees to eat it, however, in winter, most hives have condensation inside the hive that the bees can use.  So using sugar is one way of controlling excess moisture inside the hive that may otherwise be detremental.  Bees will not take syrup when the temps are in the low 40's and lower.  Once the viscosity of sugar syrup gets gel like the bees won't take it so feeding straight sugar is resorted to.
I have always considered feeding straight sugar to be an emergency measure and not something that is done routinely.  Others disagree and keep a layer of sugar at the top of the hive all winter long. 

[Michael Bush]

I do spray the sugar a bit to get it to clump but that's probably all that accomplishes.  The bees produce water all winter from metabolism.  This rises in the air.  With the sugar at the top and the moisture at the top they come together.

[Kathyp]

i keep it on all winter.  it's wet enough here that the sugar not only stays damp, but helps absorb some of the excess moisture in the hive.  i can't open my  hives for several months in the winter.  by the time i knew there was an emergency, it would be to late.  they'll use it if they need it and leave it if  they don't.

[hardtime]

i put some in my hives .i took to much honey  last fall  well  it had been about  two weeks i looked in on them .  wo thay had eat over half of it paper and all that blow my minded.  it works

[Michael Bush]

Keep in mind the bees will not dehydrate themselves by eating.  If there is no supply of moisture they simply won't eat it.