[Malaz]

We have lots of honey bees trying to feed off my smashed coke cans that I'm saving to recycle. Therefore, I decided to make up some sugar water for them. I made up a about 1 cup and they drank it all. However, I'm not sure I got the sugar ratio right. Can someone tell me how to make sugar water for bees?

 

[AlgoRhythms]

I don't know anything about feeding bees, but I'll bet if you follow a sugar water recipe for hummingbirds it will work just fine.

 

[PrairieGirl]

We have a hummingbird feeder and use a 4:1 ratio (4 tbsp sugar to 1 cup water) but have noticed that ants tend to get attracted to it too and end up swimming in the water by the end of the day...kinda gross.

I'm thinking of planting some bee friendly flowers around our backyard this year to attract them; same for butterflies.

Good luck!

 

[skyy]

Are they honeybees or yellow jackets ?

You want to attract honeybees and discourage yellow jackets if you are sure they are honeybees you can feed them a mixture of 2:1 sugar and water. You a mason jar with several tiny holes in the top turned upside down. The mixture will create a vacuum and as the bees feed off the bottom the liquid will slowly drip out. This spring plant lots of California poppies, Bee balm, catnip, and various flowers and herbs and you will keep the bees coming to your property.

Yellow jacket on left honeybee is on the right.

 

[redflag]

1:2 is 1 pound of sugar dissolved in 2 pints of water. This is a Spring mixture used to stimulate the queen to start laying.
1:1 is 1 pound of sugar dissolved in 1 pint of water. This is a mixture used to encourage comb building.
2:1 is 2 pounds of sugar dissolved in 1 pint of water. This is a Fall mixture used to make winter stores.

be sure to put a couple stones or something in place so the bees don't drown.

 

[Malaz]

Are they honeybees or yellow jackets ?

You want to attract honeybees and discourage yellow jackets if you are sure they are honeybees you can feed them a mixture of 2:1 sugar and water. You a mason jar with several tiny holes in the top turned upside down. The mixture will create a vacuum and as the bees feed off the bottom the liquid will slowly drip out. This spring plant lots of California poppies, Bee balm, catnip, and various flowers and herbs and you will keep the bees coming to your property.

Yellow jacket on left honeybee is on the right.

**smiles** Yes, I know the difference between yellow jackets and honeybees. I have to kill all the wasps around the farm. Thanks, I like the mason jar idea. I have lots of herbs and flowers planted.

I was wondering if it's common for honey bees to drink ALL of the sugar water (about a cup) in one day. I'm also curious to know how close their bee hive is. I read that they don't fly too far from their hive when it's cool weather.

 

[Malaz]

1:2 is 1 pound of sugar dissolved in 2 pints of water. This is a Spring mixture used to stimulate the queen to start laying.
1:1 is 1 pound of sugar dissolved in 1 pint of water. This is a mixture used to encourage comb building.
2:1 is 2 pounds of sugar dissolved in 1 pint of water. This is a Fall mixture used to make winter stores.

be sure to put a couple stones or something in place so the bees don't drown.

Thanks, this is great information. I'll add some rocks next time. I have a butterfly (small bird bath) bath that I have some petrified rocks in, but didn't think to put rocks for the bees.

 

[Lesley Jed]

The bees will be less cross on nice days than when the weather is overcast or rainy. Do not plug the hole immediately after dusting the nest because this may force the agitated bees into the living quarters of the home. Bees will find or make unused or new exits, sometimes indoors. Also, honey bees can be killed by exposing the nest to freezing temperatures during the winter.

camping gear
camping

 

[Dane]

Thanks for the info..Good read

 

[Per Ardua]

O.k. - my anal retentiveness requires that I point out that a ratio uses the same units. Alas a ratio of 4:1 means 4 units of one ingredient to 1 unit of the other ingredient, where the measurement of 'unit' is the same for both ingredients. When stating a ratio units need not be specified as they are assumed to be the same.

One can mix units and this is called a 'rate'. With rates the units need to be specified because they are not assumed to be the same (I.e., 60 km/h or 4tbsp sugar per cup of water).


I will try to loosen my sphincter now...

-Per.

 

[wilderman]

Try to mix water sugar and add some wax.Perhaps will last longer.

 

[bretandteri]

O.k. - my anal retentiveness requires that I point out that a ratio uses the same units. Alas a ratio of 4:1 means 4 units of one ingredient to 1 unit of the other ingredient, where the measurement of 'unit' is the same for both ingredients. When stating a ratio units need not be specified as they are assumed to be the same.

One can mix units and this is called a 'rate'. With rates the units need to be specified because they are not assumed to be the same (I.e., 60 km/h or 4tbsp sugar per cup of water).


I will try to loosen my sphincter now...

-Per.

Too funny! While your post made me laugh, I must admit I had the same thought. If something is 4:1, I don't have to write it down- I can just remember it. But these "ratios" are not true ratios so I just jotted the recipes down for future use.