Beekeeping Winter Feed Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Calculate how much food your bees need to survive winter. Estimate honey requirements based on your climate, assess current stores, and get supplemental feeding recommendations with sugar brick, fondant, or syrup recipes.
Winter Feed Calculator
Winter FeedCalculate how much supplemental feed your bees need to survive winter
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What is a Beekeeping Winter Feed Calculator?
A beekeeping winter feed calculator helps you determine if your colonies have enough honey stores to survive winter and calculates how much supplemental feed to provide if they're short. Starvation is one of the leading causes of winter colony loss, making this calculation critical for beekeeper success.
Our calculator accounts for your climate zone, colony strength, expected winter length, and current stores to give you precise feeding recommendations including sugar brick, fondant, or syrup quantities with recipes.
How Much Honey Do Bees Need for Winter?
Honey requirements vary significantly by climate:
- Northern climates (MN, WI, ME): 90+ lbs per colony
- Central states (OH, PA, VA): 60 lbs per colony
- Southern states (GA, TX): 40 lbs per colony
- Mild/Subtropical (FL, CA coast): 30 lbs per colony
How to Estimate Current Stores
You can estimate honey stores by:
- Hefting: Lift the back of the hive — heavy is good
- Weighing: Use a hive scale for accuracy (subtract equipment weight)
- Frame inspection: A full deep frame holds ~7 lbs of honey
A full deep super of honey weighs about 70-90 lbs. A medium super holds about 40-50 lbs.
Winter Feeding Methods
Sugar Bricks (Mountain Camp)
The easiest emergency feed method. Make bricks from dampened sugar, let dry until hard, and place directly on top bars. Bees eat through winter when they need it.
Fondant / Candy Board
Commercial or homemade fondant provides concentrated sugar without moisture issues. Place over the cluster on top bars or in a candy board with ventilation.
Heavy Syrup (2:1)
Feed 2:1 sugar syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water by weight) in fall while temperatures allow bees to process and cap it. Not suitable for mid-winter feeding.
Signs Your Bees Need Food
- Light hive when hefted
- Bees clustered at top of frames (stores depleted below)
- Dead bees with heads in cells (starvation)
- Increased activity on warm days (searching for food)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much honey do bees need for winter?
Honey needs vary by climate: Northern states (MN, WI, ME) need 90+ lbs per colony, Central states (OH, PA) need about 60 lbs, Southern states (GA, TX) need around 40 lbs, and mild climates (FL, coastal CA) need about 30 lbs per colony.
What's the best way to feed bees in winter?
Sugar bricks (Mountain Camp method) and fondant are the best winter feeding options because they don't add moisture to the hive. Heavy syrup (2:1) should only be fed in fall while bees can still process it - never in cold weather when bees cannot evaporate the moisture.
How do I know if my bees have enough food for winter?
Heft (lift) the back of your hive - a well-provisioned hive feels heavy. You can also weigh hives: deduct equipment weight to estimate stores. A full deep frame holds about 7 lbs of honey. Ideally, weigh hives in fall and monitor monthly through winter.
How do I make sugar bricks for bees?
Mix 4 lbs of white granulated sugar with just enough water to dampen (about 1/2 cup). Press into a mold or onto newspaper. Let dry for 24-48 hours until hard. Place directly on top bars over the cluster. Some beekeepers add apple cider vinegar or Honey-B-Healthy.
When should I start feeding bees for winter?
Begin fall feeding with heavy syrup (2:1) in September or early October while temperatures are above 50°F and bees can process syrup. Switch to dry feeding methods (sugar bricks, fondant) by late October or when temperatures drop. Don't wait until mid-winter to discover low stores.
Can bees survive winter without feeding?
Bees can survive without supplemental feeding if they have adequate honey stores. This depends on having sufficient fall nectar flow, not over-harvesting honey, and colonies being strong enough to cluster effectively. Many colonies benefit from some supplemental feed as insurance.
Sources and References
- Bee Culture Magazine, "Preparing Colonies for Winter"
- University of Minnesota Bee Lab, "Winter Management of Honey Bee Colonies"
- Randy Oliver, Scientific Beekeeping, "Winter Feed Options" scientificbeekeeping.com
- American Bee Journal, "Emergency Winter Feeding Strategies"