VitaHive Brood Booster 250ml — Makes 25L

Science-Based Hive Stimulant for Stronger Brood

Spring honey production starts with winter brood-building — the colonies you build up in July and August become the foraging powerhouses of October through February. But Australian winters mean low levels of natural pollen and nectar, which slow queen laying and keep brood numbers stagnant. Hives that come out of winter weak never reach peak strength in time for the main honey flow. The result? Smaller harvests, fewer splits, lower pollination contracts — and a feeling that your bees are always one step behind the season.

That’s exactly the problem VitaHive™ Brood Booster™ was scientifically formulated to solve. A highly concentrated hive stimulant made in New Zealand from scientifically researched ingredients — hydrolysed protein, essential amino acids, plant oils, vitamins, and minerals — specifically designed to break winter dormancy and stimulate the queen to lay earlier and stronger. Just 250ml of concentrate makes up to 25 litres of bee feed, delivering genuine measurable improvements in brood rearing, hive vitality, and colony strength — confirmed by extensive testing on commercial apiaries across New Zealand and Australia.

Why Should I Feed Brood Booster?

Strong hives in spring are the result of brood-building in late winter. A queen needs to be laying eggs by July–August so that those eggs become foraging workers by October, just as the spring nectar flow begins. But without proper nutrition, queens lay slowly through winter, and hives stay small. Brood Booster delivers the exact nutrition the queen and nurse bees need to ramp up laying earlier than they would otherwise. The result: higher peak hive size, better honey yields, stronger splits, healthier colonies, and fewer winter losses the following year.

What’s Actually In It?

Every ingredient in Brood Booster is scientifically selected and pH-balanced for optimal uptake by bees. The complete ingredient list:

• Hydrolysed protein — essential amino acids that mimic natural pollen protein; directly feeds nurse bees producing royal jelly.
• Sucrose — carbohydrate energy for the colony, especially when natural nectar is scarce
• L-tryptophan — an essential amino acid critical for brood development
• Lecithin — a natural emulsifier that improves nutrient absorption and digestion
• Thymol — a natural essential oil with mild antimicrobial properties; supports gut health
• Lemongrass oil — mimics natural queen pheromones and bee attractants; stimulates feeding behaviour.
• Spearmint oil — supports digestive health; bees love the taste.
• Citric acid — adjusts pH for optimal bee gut absorption.
• Sodium benzoate & potassium sorbate — food-grade preservatives to keep the concentrate stable
• Water — the base for the concentrated liquid formulation

Free from: GMO ingredients, soy, animal products, antibiotics, and any chemicals that could adulterate your honey.

How Do I Use It Properly?

Brood Booster is highly concentrated. Mix it with your standard sugar syrup at one of two ratios:

• Top or side feeder application: 10ml per litre of syrup — standard dilution for ongoing feeding through a feeder
• Drench feeding: 30ml per litre of syrup — triple-concentrate for direct application; pour 1 cup over the top bars, bees, and frames of a single brood box hive (adjust for larger/smaller hives)
• Application timing: feed late winter through early spring — in Australia, start in July or August and continue until your hives reach desired strength. Pair with VitaHive Power Feed pollen supplement for maximum brood-rearing impact.

When Should I Start and Stop Feeding?

Timing is critical for getting full value from Brood Booster:

• Start: late winter (July or August in Australia, earlier in warmer regions, later in colder regions like Tasmania)
• Continue: through winter and into early spring, until hives have reached your desired strength
• Stop: before the first significant nectar flow begins (typically September–October in most of Australia)
• Always stop before placing honey supers on the hive
• Resume in autumn: Optional autumn feeding can help build winter-strong colonies

Will It Affect My Honey?

Not if you use it correctly. Brood Booster contains no chemicals or additives that could adulterate honey. However, the manufacturer specifically recommends not feeding with honey supers on — because the sucrose component in the feed could end up in your honey supers, increasing C4 sugar levels and affecting the value and authenticity of your honey for sale. The simple rule: feed Brood Booster before you add honey supers in spring, and after you remove them in autumn. Used this way, it has zero impact on honey quality — just stronger bees making more of it.

What Results Should I Expect?

Beekeepers using Brood Booster consistently report:

• Earlier queen laying — weeks ahead of unsupplemented colonies
• Increased brood numbers — visibly larger brood patches within 2–3 weeks
• Faster spring buildup — stronger hives going into peak nectar flow
• Better honey yields — a direct result of more foragers active during the flow
• Healthier bees — the essential oils may help reduce Nosema and gut parasites with long-term use
• Lower winter losses — stronger autumn-prepped colonies overwinter more reliably
• More splits possible — strong, fast-building colonies can be split earlier, increasing your apiary growth

How Far Does the 250ml Concentrate Go?

Genuinely impressive value. The 250ml bottle is highly concentrated — it makes up to 25 litres of bee feed depending on your dilution. At the standard 10ml/L feeder ratio, that’s 25 litres of stimulant-enhanced syrup — enough to feed a small hobby apiary (3–5 hives) through an entire winter-to-spring buildup. Larger sideliner or commercial operations should consider our 1L, 5L, or 20L sizes for better per-litre economics. At just $35–40 retail for 25L of finished feed, Brood Booster works out to roughly $1.50 per litre of feed — outstanding value for the brood-building results you get.

Should I Combine With Pollen Supplements?

Yes — ideally. Brood Booster provides amino acids and trace nutrients, but bees also need pollen-equivalent protein for full brood rearing. The most effective approach is to feed Brood Booster alongside VitaHive Power Feed pollen substitute — either as patties or powder mixed into your feed. The two products are specifically designed to work together, and the manufacturer has extensively tested the combined approach. Brood Booster stimulates the queen to lay; Power Feed gives the nurse bees the protein they need to feed all those new larvae. One without the other delivers partial results; together they deliver a transformative spring buildup.

Is It Safe for My Bees?

Completely safe — it’s all natural. Brood Booster contains no chemicals, antibiotics, or harsh additives. The essential oils (thymol, lemongrass, spearmint) are naturally occurring substances that bees regularly encounter in nature. The preservatives are food-grade and used at safe levels for honey bees. The product is free from GMO ingredients, soy, and animal products — making it suitable for organic-conscious beekeepers. In testing, Brood Booster has shown no negative effects on bee health, longevity, or behaviour — only positive outcomes, including improved digestion and potential reductions in gut parasite infections.

Who Is This Product Built For?

Brood Booster works for any beekeeper serious about getting more from their hives. It’s especially valuable for hobbyists with 1–10 hives wanting stronger spring colonies and better honey yields, sideliners scaling up production, commercial beekeepers with seasonal honey or pollination contracts to fulfil, queen breeders needing strong starter and finisher colonies year-round, beekeepers recovering hives from winter losses or weak conditions, and anyone who wants to make MORE splits to grow their apiary faster. The 250ml size is perfectly matched to 3–5 hive backyard operations — if you have more hives, see our 1L, 5L, and 20L sizes.

Specifications

• Brand: VitaHive™
• Product: Brood Booster™ — hive stimulant concentrate
• Size: 250ml concentrate — makes up to 25L of finished feed
• Form: Concentrated liquid
• Made in: New Zealand, from local and imported ingredients
• Key ingredients: Hydrolysed protein, sucrose, citric acid, thymol, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, L-tryptophan, lecithin
• Preservatives: Food-grade sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate
• Free from: GMO, soy, animal products, antibiotics
• Standard dilution: 10ml per litre of sugar syrup (feeder feeding)
• Drench dilution: 30ml per litre of syrup (direct application)
• Best feeding window: Late winter to early spring (July–September in Australia)
• Restriction: Do not feed with honey supers in place
• Pairs with: VitaHive Power Feed pollen supplement for maximum brood-rearing impact

Safety — Standard Care

Brood Booster is safe for bees and humans when used as directed. As with all bee-feeding supplements, in case of eye or skin contact, rinse well with water and consult a medical professional if irritation occurs. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place with the cap firmly closed to maintain freshness and concentration.

Why Buy From Beekeeping Gear?

Beekeeping Gear has been Australia’s trusted source for bee nutrition, hive supplements, and serious beekeeping essentials since 2016. We supply real Australian beekeepers from our showrooms in Granville (next to Clyde train station) and Meadowbrook (QLD), plus fast Australia-wide shipping on every order. We stock the full VitaHive range — from this 250ml hobbyist size through to 20L commercial bottles — plus VitaHive Power Feed pollen supplements. Call us on 1300 692 766 for advice on building a complete nutrition program for your hives.

Order your VitaHive Brood Booster 250ml today — the science-based, naturally-formulated, beekeeper-tested hive stimulant that genuinely boosts brood, builds stronger colonies, and delivers better honey harvests.