Honey bee nutrition: fat bees not skinny bees

Honey bee nutrition: fat bees not skinny bees provides practical guidance around managing the nutritional requirements of your bees.

This book is an invaluable resource to anyone involved in beekeeping, especially those in the businesses of pollination and honey production. Nutritional management is also essential for rearing good quality queens and drones. Raising healthy bees, building and maintaining colony strength for targeted outcomes is the foundation of this book.

The information is scientifically grounded, including research by lead author Dr Madlen Kratz and advice from the AgriFutures Australia publication Fat Bees Skinny Bees by Dr Doug Somerville, provides readers with current and credible insights into what bees need to thrive.

The book explores how bees use pollen, nectar, and water, and offers practical advice on providing supplementary nutrition when environmental resources are insufficient. It also examines the cost-effectiveness of feeding supplements during shortfalls and dearth periods such as times of drought and floods.

Beyond detecting the nutritional problem, the book describes in detail the impacts poor nutrition has on the health and productivity of a colony, which influence returns for beekeepers. It also deepens the understanding of nutritional management in the context of pests and diseases, including Varroa.

Don’t rely solely on your bees’ foraging ability. Nutritional shortfalls in the floral landscape can be subtle but significant. Stay proactive in monitoring and supporting your bees' health.

• Introduction
• Chapter 1. Essential nutrition
• Chapter 2. Detecting the nutrition problem
• Chapter 3. Foraging behaviour
• Chapter 4. Pollen
• Chapter 5. Sugar
• Chapter 6. Water
• Chapter 7. The link between nutrition and health
• Chapter 8. Costs vs benefits
• References
• Check your skill

Author: Madlen Kratz and Jennifer Laffan, with Doug Somerville