What is the hottest syrup that's safe for bees?

[ugcheleuce]

Hello everyone

A beekeeper gave me a tip for winter feeding in colder weather: warm up the syrup and give it to them in the morning.  However, this made me wonder: just how hot can the syrup be before it is dangerous for the bees (i.e. before bees will die because they tried to drink it)?  Does anyone know an answer?  There must have been some studies.

Thanks
Samuel

[Dabbler]

If it is cold weather, won't the bees be clustered and not inclined to go towards the feed?

[BeeMaster2]

If you add feed that you have to heat to feed them, you will be adding a lot of moisture to the hive and could cause serious dripping onto the cluster. Not something i would do.
Jim

[mikecva]

Interesting. I have never fed my bees anything above ambient temperature syrup. I would think the increase in temperature might mess with their digestion if they took it at all. When it gets below 45 I switch to fondant or  dry sugar.
If you try it, let us know what happens.   -Mike

[AR Beekeeper]

I have read many recommendations for fall feeding that said feed warm syrup, but none gave an actual temperature for the syrup.  I would think it would be similar to us, if we can't stand to touch the syrup it is too hot.

[ugcheleuce]

If it is cold weather, won't the bees be clustered and not inclined to go towards the feed?

If you add feed that you have to heat to feed them, you will be adding a lot of moisture to the hive and could cause serious dripping onto the cluster.

Cluster... cluster... oh, wait... sorry, I meant "winter preparation feeding".  I.e. fall/autumn feeding, i.e. now, not in three months' time.  Does that change your answer?

[BeeMaster2]

Yes.
It seems if you have to warm it it is too cold for them to bee trying to process it. Place the feeder on top of the hive with a super box and lid and let the heat of he hive keep it warm. If it just feels warm to you, you are good. Bees can heat up to 116 degrees and survive. They kill hornets at that temp and survive.
If you get your water good and hot and add sugar without adding more heat, it should bee cool enough. The sugar really cools it down a lot.
Jim

[Jim134]

Have you considered using candy boards or like.




       BEE HAPPY Jim 134"

[ugcheleuce]

Have you considered using candy boards or like?

If the bees will be unwilling to drink cold syrup, why would they be willing to eat cold candy?

[Dallasbeek]

The water in syrup freezes.  Sugar has very little water -- none at all until it absorbs humidity in the hive.  They are not unwilling to eat cold syrup, but they're unable to eat frozen syrup.

[Michael Bush]

If it's hot enough to burn your finger it's too hot... that's how I always figure it...