Honeybees are the quiet achievers behind much of our food system. Their role in pollinating crops supports the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. But for bees to perform at their best, they need proper nutrition — and it goes beyond just honey and pollen.
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Bees, like humans, need a balanced diet to stay healthy. When they don’t get the nutrients they need, it can affect the whole hive. Poor nutrition can lead to:
- Weaker immune systems
- Less brood rearing
- Lower honey yields
- Higher risk of disease (like Nosema)
- Greater sensitivity to pesticides
- Increased winter losses
- Poor pollination performance
Healthy bees are better equipped to cope with stress, raise strong brood, and do the work needed to keep the colony running. Nutrition also plays a key role in the development of nurse bees’ hypopharyngeal glands — these glands produce royal jelly and brood food. Without good protein and nutrient intake, these glands don’t develop properly, which directly affects the health of larvae and the queen.
What Do Bees Eat?
Bees mainly rely on two natural food sources:
- Nectar – A carbohydrate-rich liquid collected from flowers. It’s converted into honey and provides the energy bees need for flying, foraging, and regulating hive temperature.
- Pollen – The main source of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Pollen is vital for raising brood and supporting the development of young bees.
However, not all pollen offers the same nutritional value. Bees need pollen with a good balance of amino acids, particularly the ten essential ones they can’t produce on their own. Access to a diverse range of flowers usually meets this need, but in areas with limited plant diversity — or during certain times of year — bees may fall short.
Modern Challenges to Bee Nutrition
Natural flowers and diverse forage are the ideal food source for bees, but in today’s changing environment, they’re not always enough — Nutritional stress can occur during:
- Seasonal gaps in flowering
- Drought or poor weather
- Large numbers of hives in one area
- Reduced floral variety
- And pressure from pests like Varroa
Varroa mites in particular place extra demand on bees. These parasites feed on the fat body tissue and brood, draining protein and energy from the colony. Bees affected by Varroa often emerge with lower body weight, underdeveloped glands, and weakened immune systems — making access to high-quality food even more important.
What and When to Feed
Here’s a practical guide for supplemental feeding:
Sugar Syrup
- Spring: A 1:1 sugar-to-water mix, with 2.5ml Hive Alive per litre, supports foraging and brood buildup.
- Autumn: A thicker 2:1 mix helps bees build winter stores. Add Hive Alive to support gut health.
Protein / Pollen Supplements
- Use when natural pollen is limited.
- Products like Nuplas nuPro can be fed dry or as patties placed directly on frames for easy access.
Smart Feeding Tips
- Feed small amounts at first and observe how the bees respond.
- Use quality feeders (like the Nuplas Top Feeder) to reduce robbing and waste.
- Stop syrup feeding when daytime temperatures drop below 10°C. Bees struggle to process liquid feed in cold weather.
- Protein supplements are helpful but best used strategically — not all year round.
- Protein patties may attract small hive beetles, so monitor closely.
- Look for healthy brood patterns and strong foraging activity — both signs your bees are getting the nutrition they need.
Final Thoughts
Feeding bees is about more than giving them sugar or protein. It’s about understanding their seasonal needs, recognising when natural forage isn’t enough, and knowing how to step in with support. With the right nutrition at the right time, your bees will be stronger, more productive, and better equipped to handle challenges — and that benefits your entire beekeeping operation.