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When Should You Stop Feeding Bees Syrup in Autumn? UK Guide

Short answer: there is no single date when every UK beekeeper should stop feeding syrup in autumn. Aim to complete the main autumn feed while...

Short answer: there is no single date when every UK beekeeper should stop feeding syrup in autumn. Aim to complete the main autumn feed while the weather is still mild enough for the colony to take, process and store it. If syrup remains untouched, the nights have become consistently cold or the colony is no longer moving up to the feeder, it is time to reassess rather than simply adding more.

September is normally the main feeding period for many UK apiaries. Timing still varies with location, weather, colony strength and the amount of honey already present, so the bees and their stores should guide the decision.

Why autumn syrup needs to be given early enough

Bees must collect syrup from the feeder, reduce its water content and store it in the comb. This requires both energy and suitable temperatures. As autumn advances and the cluster becomes tighter, the colony may be unable or unwilling to move far enough to use liquid feed efficiently.

The National Bee Unit advises using thick syrup for autumn feeding and notes that colonies generally require around 18–22kg of winter stores, although a large colony headed by a prolific queen may need more. This is a guide rather than a universal target: hive type, colony size and local conditions all matter.

If a colony needs a substantial addition to its stores, provide it early enough to be processed. A convenient ready-made option is IdealBee 13kg Syrup, while an appropriate top feeder such as the English Bee Feeder allows the colony to access feed from above.

How to decide whether to continue feeding syrup

1. Assess the colony’s existing stores

Heft the hive from the back and, while conditions still permit a proper inspection, note how much sealed food surrounds the brood nest. Compare colonies in the same apiary rather than relying only on a calendar date. A hive that already has adequate stores does not benefit from being filled indiscriminately with syrup, especially if this restricts the space available to the queen.

2. Watch how quickly the syrup is taken

A strong colony in suitable weather will normally remove autumn syrup readily. If feed remains in the feeder for an extended period, check for a faulty feeder, crystallisation, fermentation, access problems or a weak colony. Do not assume that repeatedly topping up an untouched feeder will solve the underlying issue.

3. Consider the weather, not one temperature reading

A single warm afternoon does not necessarily mean that a colony can process a large feed. Look at the pattern of daytime and overnight temperatures and whether the bees are still actively using the feeder. The National Bee Unit advises that sugar syrup should not be given in cold weather because bees cannot process it properly.

4. Keep robbing risk under control

Feed in the evening, avoid spilling syrup around the apiary and make sure feeders do not leak. Reduce entrances where appropriate so colonies can defend themselves. Late-season nectar shortages, wasps and exposed syrup can quickly turn a routine feed into a robbing problem.

When should you change from syrup to protein patties/fondant?

A good protein patty strengthens your winter bees to help them enter the colder months, especially when the only pollen available is from ivy. It is a good idea to put these on prior to fondant. We recommend SuperProtein Patties. 

Fondant is not simply the next stage of routine autumn feeding. The aim is to finish the main correction of winter stores with syrup while colonies can still process it. Fondant is more appropriate during cold weather or as an emergency safeguard when a colony is light and liquid feed is no longer suitable.

If winter checks suggest that a colony may run short, place fondant where the cluster can reach it with minimal movement. Hagens’ AnimalUP Bees Fondant is a ready-to-use option available in 1kg and 10kg sizes. Continue to heft colonies periodically: adding fondant once does not replace monitoring throughout winter.

A practical September approach

  • Remove any honey supers intended for human consumption before supplementary feeding.
  • Assess stores by inspecting in suitable weather and learning to heft each hive.
  • Calculate the shortfall rather than feeding every colony the same quantity.
  • Give the required autumn syrup promptly while the colony is active enough to process it.
  • Check that feed is being taken and investigate any colony that behaves differently from the rest of the apiary.
  • Stop relying on liquid feed when cold conditions prevent effective uptake and processing.
  • Monitor hive weight through winter and use fondant when it is genuinely required.

The key point

Do not stop feeding syrup solely because a particular date has arrived, but do not leave the main autumn feed until cold weather either. Complete it as early as practical, judge each colony by its stores and uptake, and move to winter monitoring once liquid feed is no longer being processed effectively.

Further reading: National Bee Unit best-practice guidance on feeding bees and the British Beekeepers Association’s September apiary guidance.