June 17: Feeding with Syrup and Essential Oils

After a lot of thought and reading, I made the decision to feed the Italians. The population is low and struggling. I'm hoping the feeding will keep them from starving, give them enough energy to forage, and stimulate wax production and brood rearing. That's the theory at least.

Last night, I made 1:1 sugar syrup with 8 pounds regular white sugar, 4 teaspoons Honey-B Healthy (feeding stimulant with spearmint and lemongrass oils) and 4 drops of wintergreen essential oil.

There has been some suggestion anecdotally and in one study that wintergreen oil may repel mites. Thymol and spearmint oil have also been recommended for mite control. In my opinion, essential oils may or may not help but they probably don't hurt. Ross Conrad's book (Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture) is excellent if you want to read more about natural beekeeping.

Tonight, I poured the cooled mixture into the top feeder and placed on top of the Italian hive.

Did you know? Most essential oils are created by distilling parts of plants over water. They are said to capture the "essence" of the plant.