Fuel Your Colony Through Winter with the Right Nutrition
A hive’s winter survival often comes down to whether it has enough stored food to make it through to spring. Light hives, long winters, and early spring buildup can all drain honey stores faster than expected, making supplemental winter feed an essential tool for keeping your colony fed when natural forage isn’t available.
Support Your Bees When Natural Forage Runs Out
Mann Lake offers a range of winter feeding options, from fondant to dry sugar and protein supplements, designed to give your bees an accessible, high-energy food source during the coldest months. The right winter feeding strategy helps prevent starvation, supports cluster strength, and sets your colony up for a healthy start once spring arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Feed & Nutrition
How do I know if my hive needs winter feeding? Check hive weight throughout winter — a noticeably light hive, or one where you can’t feel the weight of stored honey when you heft it, is a sign your bees may need supplemental feed.
What’s the best type of feed for winter? Solid feeds like fondant, candy boards, or dry sugar are generally recommended for winter, since liquid syrup can be harder for bees to process in cold temperatures and may increase moisture inside the hive.
Can I open the hive to feed my bees in winter? It’s best to minimize how often you open the hive in cold weather — many winter feeding methods, like candy boards placed above the cluster, are designed to be added with minimal disruption and can be checked periodically without fully breaking the hive apart.