Winter Feeding Honey Bees During a Texas Dearth: My 55-Gallon 2:1 Syrup Recipe
Here in Johnson County, Texas, we’ve been dealing with a tough nectar dearth. Even strong colonies can quickly burn through their honey reserves, especially with high temperatures and little natural forage available. When my colonies begin consuming stores faster than they can replace them, I switch to a heavy 2:1 sugar syrup to help them build winter reserves while supporting overall colony health.
Why I Feed 2:1 Syrup
A 2 parts sugar to 1 part water syrup is thicker than spring stimulation feed. Instead of encouraging rapid brood production, it helps bees efficiently store carbohydrates for the months ahead. As we move toward fall and winter, my goal is to ensure each colony has enough food to survive until nectar becomes available again.
My 55-Gallon Winter Feeding Recipe
This recipe makes approximately 55 finished gallons of 2:1 syrup.
Ingredients
- 390 pounds granulated sugar
- 27.5 gallons clean water
- 13.2 ounces (390 mL) BeeOptimal (high-stress dosage)
Mixing Instructions
- Heat the water until hot (do not boil).
- Slowly add the sugar while continuously stirring until completely dissolved.
- Allow the syrup to cool below 100°F.
- Add 13.2 ounces of BeeOptimal and mix thoroughly.
- Feed immediately or store in clean, sealed containers.
Why I’m Using BeeOptimal
My colonies are currently under nutritional stress due to the ongoing dearth. BeeOptimal is formulated to support brood health during periods of stress and is intended for use when colonies need additional nutritional support.
For my 55 colonies, I’m using the high-stress feeding rate recommended by the manufacturer since natural nectar is scarce and the bees are relying heavily on supplemental feed.
Feeding Strategy
Each colony receives approximately 1 gallon of syrup per feeding. I continue monitoring hive weight and stored honey to determine when additional feed is needed. The goal isn’t simply to keep the bees alive—it’s to help them enter winter with adequate stores and strong, healthy populations.
I also monitor:
- Hive weight and food stores
- Mite levels
- Brood pattern and queen performance
- Pollen availability
- Small hive beetle activity when feeding pollen supplements
Final Thoughts
Every apiary is different, and feeding should always be based on colony conditions rather than the calendar alone. In North Texas, weather and forage availability can change quickly. Regular inspections and monitoring are the best way to determine when your bees need supplemental feed.
This recipe is what I’m currently using at Darren’s Apiary to help my colonies recover from the Texas summer dearth and prepare for winter. Healthy winter stores today can make all the difference in having strong, productive colonies next spring.
What are you feeding your bees this season? I’d love to hear what has worked for your apiary and how your colonies are handling the dearth.
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