1:1 or 2:1 ?

[FRAMEshift]

I am in need of a better understanding of the effects of sugar syrup in 1:1 and 2:1 concentrations.  I have read and heard generalities about using 1:1 for stimulating comb drawing and 2:1 for storage.  How much flexibility do the bees show in the use of syrup?

We are in a dearth right now and will be till the end of August.  Then we will have 2 months of weak flow.  I have some hives that need more comb before they will have room to store enough honey for winter. What should I be feeding them now?  Will they use the 1:1 to build comb now?  If I feed 2:1, will they also use that for comb or only storage?  Should I feed both so they have a choice or use both?

[iddee]

Feed 1:1. If they want 2:1, they will make it that. They can condense it easier than they can thin it.

[FRAMEshift]

Thanks iddee.  That sounds like good advice.  I can see that if they have to fly any distance to get a tiny drop of water, it would take less effort to fan the sugar water to evaporate it, even in the high humidity we have now.  Also, I had never thought about it, but how would they mix water into a viscous liquid like 2:1?

[Kathyp]

you can do 2:1 with very hot tap water.  you can also boil the water and add it to the sugar.  don't boil the syrup.

[FRAMEshift]

you can do 2:1 with very hot tap water.  you can also boil the water and add it to the sugar.  don't boil the syrup.

My question was about what the bees would prefer, since I don't really know if they want to build comb or store honey as a priority.  But since you mention it, why should I not boil the syrup.  I made 2:1 yesterday and did boil it for a couple of minutes.

[rgy]

boiling it burns it or carmelizes it and makes bees sick.  boil water, remove from heat add sugar stir.

[charlotte]

Personally I perfer to use 2:1 all the time if I have to feed liquid.  I agree that they can condense better than thin, but the process of condensing seems to require a lot of man..er...woman power.  Fanning, etc. Although, I guess adding water can be labor intensive too.  My biggest reason for not using 1:1 is the possibility of adding humidity & condensation to the hive, especially a concern for over winter.  In my experience, a wet hive is often a dead hive. 

[Kathyp]

1:1 is for spring comb building, etc.  2:1 is for storing.  what you feed depends on the time of the year.  2:1 for  summer and fall if you are getting them ready for winter. 

[doak]

If they need comb they will build it regardless of what you give them. They will build no comb if they get nothing to do it for.OMO :) doak

[FRAMEshift]

If they need comb they will build it regardless of what you give them. They will build no comb if they get nothing to do it for.OMO :) doak

Sounds like you are saying 2:1 would be better?  BTW, I love your quote in my sig.

[Kathyp]

depends on how much you want to spend on sugar.  at this time of the year, i'd feed 2:1.

[jajtiii]

I have three hives that have drawn out a medium, during our dearth (and drought) and 'mostly' filled it on .5 to 1.

I'll go to 1:1 in August and 2:1 in September if they still need it.

Of course, maybe I have to feed them more then those who use higher concentrations, I don't know. I feed about a gallon of syrup every 3 days.

[WhipCityBeeMan]

Michael Bush says he uses a 3:2 all the time. I have done that and it works just fine.

[winginit]

Probably a dumb question from a newbee, but why not just feed dry sugar, clumped up?

[Two Bees]

I have found that the bees need some water during the summer months.  Dry sugar works best during the winter when they need food but don't need the moisture.

[Michael Bush]

They can use any syrup from 1:2 to 2:1 but the thicker it is the better it keeps and the less you have to haul around...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm