Recent scientific activities on using invert sugar for feeding bees


1. Tsvetanov & Balkanska (2025)

Title: Comparative assessment of invert sugar syrup and sugar solution on honey bee colony development
Abstract Summary: A field study comparing invert sugar syrup vs. standard sugar solution on 14 colonies. Colonies fed invert syrup showed significantly better colony strength and sealed brood area (p < 0.001), in both spring and autumn feedings.

2. Petrov et al. (2023), MDPI

Title: Influence of various sugar syrups on fat body formation in Apis mellifera
Abstract Summary: Bees fed invert syrup developed more prominent fat bodies, crucial for overwintering. The digestibility of glucose/fructose in invert syrup played a key role.

Generally, feeding invert sugar shows an advantage in Spring/Fall brood expansion.
Therefore it is recommended to use invert syrup for boosting colony strength in spring/fall.
It should be avoided to use acid-inverted products due to the risk of HMF toxicity.