Invert sugar 

Invert sugar, what is it? Invert sugar is a mixture (syrup) consisting of equal amounts of simple sugars, namely glucose and fructose (grape sugar and fruit sugar) and water. The sucrose (table sugar) is largely broken down during production, so the bees need fewer enzymes to convert the sugar into simple sugars. This helps your bees. Invert sugar is fed to bees to get them through the winter.

Invert sugar, such as from the brands Invertbee, API-invert or BeeBoost, is used as a syrup feed for the bee colony. So what is invert sugar? An excellent sugar feed for bees!

You can buy invert sugar in our webshop. Here you will find all ready-to-use invert sugar syrups in various quantities and pack sizes. We offer packs of 14, 16 and 28 kg sugar syrup. It is also possible to make invert sugar yourself. You only have to add water to (powdered) sugar. Then mix 1 part water with 1 part powdered sugar or regular sugar. Make sure the added water is cold/lukewarm to HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural, a substance toxic to bees), from forming.

Showing 1 - 18 of 18 items
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 items

How often should I feed my bees invert sugar?

How often you need to feed the colony with invert sugar depends on several factors. The season, weather, colony size, the availability of natural food sources in the immediate area, and the health of the colony all play a role.

If the colony is strong and healthy and there is sufficient natural nectar and pollen available, it is usually not necessary to feed the bees with sugar. If the colony is small or the weather is very poor, such as during long periods of rain, cold, or drought, it may be necessary to give bees temporary extra energy in the form of invert sugar, but preferably not during the winter period. After the honey is harvested you can winter the bees with Invertbee so they have sufficient stores for the winter period. If they still run short in winter, feed them with fondant.

 

What are the benefits of invert sugar?

There are several advantages to invert sugar; bees, for example, love it. In addition, invert sugar offers the following benefits as feed for bees:

- Readily absorbed: Made from refined sugar, invert sugar is a fast and readily absorbed energy source for bees, helping them to recover and build up quickly and to lay in stores for the winter period.

- Availability: Invert sugar is preferably given in summer and autumn to support the bees when natural nectar and pollen are scarcer. Outside this period, fondant is generally offered.

It is important to remember that bees depend on a diversity of food sources. Feeding only invert sugar cannot meet a bee colony’s need for a varied diet. Also make sure there are pollen and pollen sources nearby for the bees.

 

How do I feed my bees invert sugar?

You feed Invertbee/sugar syrup using a feeder on the inner cover. The bees crawl into it and then take up the sugar syrup. The sugar syrup is a very concentrated solution. This helps sugar syrup with supplemental feeding or wintering. Sugar syrup for bees is also a convenient feed that they can take up quickly. Prefer a different form of bee feed? Check out our fondant!


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