Winter Feed Calculator

Enter colony weight deficit to find how much feed to prepare.

Target winter stores (lbs)

Current estimated stores (lbs)

Feed type

Number of hives

Feed deficit —

Sugar needed —

Water needed —

Total syrup volume —

Total for all hives —

2:1 syrup (fall): 2 parts sugar to 1 part water by weight. 1 gallon of 2:1 syrup weighs ~11.5 lbs and provides ~8 lbs of honey-equivalent stores. Target 60–90 lbs stores for northern winters, 40–60 for southern.

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Winter Store Requirements by Region

Region	Target Stores (lbs)	Notes
Northern US / Canada	80–90	Long winters, 5+ months
Mid-Atlantic / Midwest	60–70	3–4 month winters
Southern US	40–50	Short winters, early forage
Pacific Northwest	50–60	Rainy, limited forage

How Much to Feed Bees for Winter

Bees need adequate honey stores to survive winter. A strong colony in a northern climate needs 60–90 pounds of honey. If they are short, supplement with heavy sugar syrup (2:1 ratio) in fall or fondant/candy boards in winter.

To make 2:1 syrup: heat 1 gallon of water and dissolve 2 gallons worth of sugar (about 16 pounds of sugar per gallon of water). Feed using entrance feeders, top feeders, or frame feeders. Stop feeding when temperatures drop below 50°F consistently.

Colonies need 60–90 lbs of honey (or equivalent sugar syrup converted to stores) to survive winter in cold climates (below 20°F sustained). In mild climates (rarely below freezing), 30–40 lbs is sufficient. Stores should be inspected in January/February — colonies with less than 15 lbs in mid-winter are at high starvation risk and need emergency feeding.

Sugar syrup ratios: 1:1 (1 lb sugar : 1 pint water) is used for stimulative spring feeding — thin syrup triggers brood rearing. 2:1 (2 lbs sugar : 1 pint water) is used for fall food storage — thicker syrup is processed faster into stores and requires less water evaporation work by bees. At temperatures below 50°F, bees won't take syrup — use dry sugar, fondant, or candy boards instead.

Emergency winter feeding: mountain camp method (dry granulated sugar poured directly onto newspaper on top bars) works down to 20°F as an emergency measure. Sugar bricks (sugar + a small amount of water pressed into bricks) and fondant patties also work. Liquid syrup cannot be processed below 50°F and may promote dysentery if bees consume excess moisture.

Caloric equivalence: 2 lbs of refined sugar ≈ 1 lb of honey in stored energy, accounting for water content and conversion. To replace 60 lbs of honey stores with 2:1 syrup: (60 × 2) = 120 lbs of sugar required, dissolved in 60 pints (7.5 gallons) of water = approximately 15 gallons of 2:1 syrup. Feed in increments as colony takes it down.