As a general rule, you should feed a new bee colony until they have completely built out the wax comb on all the frames within their first hive box. This process is driven by the colony's developmental needs, not by a specific number of days or weeks. The goal is to provide the energy required for this critical initial construction.
Feeding a new hive is not about time; it is about reaching a specific milestone. The 1:1 sugar syrup you provide is the raw fuel bees must consume to produce the wax they need to build their home and raise the next generation of bees.
The Core Principle: Fueling the Wax Factory
A new package or nucleus colony starts with a significant disadvantage: a lack of infrastructure. Your feeding strategy is designed to solve this one problem.
Why New Colonies Need an Energy Subsidy
Bees consume honey or syrup and convert those carbohydrates into wax flakes secreted from glands on their abdomens. This is an incredibly energy-intensive process.
Without a steady, artificial source of carbohydrates (sugar syrup), the colony would have to forage for all its own nectar, dramatically slowing down comb construction and colony growth.
The Ideal Fuel: 1:1 Sugar Syrup
The standard feed for stimulating comb production is a 1:1 sugar-to-water solution (by weight or volume).
This mixture closely mimics the consistency of natural flower nectar. It provides immediate, easily processed energy that the bees can convert directly into wax.
The Definitive Signal to Stop Feeding
Your eyes are the best tool for determining when to stop. You must inspect the hive to see the colony's progress.
What "Drawn Comb" Looks Like
You will start with bare frames of foundation. "Drawn comb" means the bees have built out the hexagonal wax cells across the entire surface of the foundation.
Your goal is to see 8 to 10 fully drawn frames in a standard 10-frame hive body. Once the bees have completed this initial home, they can begin to function efficiently.
How to Check Your Frames
During your regular hive inspections, gently pull out the central frames and then the outer frames. You will see a clear progression as the bees start building in the middle and work their way outwards.
When the frames on the far ends of the box are as fully built out as the ones in the middle, your job is done.
Understanding the Trade-offs and Risks
While essential, feeding is not without its potential downsides. Knowing the risks allows you to make better-informed decisions.
The Risk of Feeding Too Long
If you continue feeding after the comb is drawn, the bees will begin storing the syrup in the newly built cells.
This can create a "honey bound" brood nest, where the queen has no empty cells left to lay her eggs. This severely restricts colony growth and must be avoided.
The Risk of Not Feeding Enough
Underfeeding is the more common mistake for new beekeepers. Without enough energy, comb construction will stall.
A colony that cannot build comb cannot raise sufficient brood or store food, leaving it weak and vulnerable to disease, pests, and collapse.
The Nectar Flow Exception
If you install your bees during a very strong natural nectar flow, they may not need as much supplemental feeding.
If your bees are ignoring the syrup in their feeder, it's a strong sign they have found a better natural source. In this case, you can reduce or stop feeding and let them use the natural resources.
Final Recommendations for Your Hive
Use these goals to guide your specific actions.
- If your primary focus is rapid establishment: Feed your colony a 1:1 sugar syrup continuously until all frames in their first brood box are fully drawn with wax comb.
- If you see the queen is running out of laying space: Stop feeding immediately to encourage the bees to consume the stored syrup, opening up cells for the queen.
- If the bees stop taking the syrup: This is your clearest signal that they no longer need it, either because they have finished drawing comb or have found a strong natural nectar source.
Ultimately, you should trust the colony's progress, not the calendar, to determine when they are ready to support themselves.
Summary Table:
| Feeding Milestone | Key Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Provide 1:1 sugar syrup immediately after hiving. | Fuels wax production for comb building. |
| During | Inspect frames regularly for comb progress. | Ensures colony is developing correctly. |
| Stop | Halt feeding once 8-10 frames are fully drawn. | Prevents hive from becoming honey-bound. |
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