Product Overview
Ready-to-Use 2:1 Bee Feed Pouches with HiveAlive
HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup provides supplemental carbohydrates in a ready-to-use feeding pouch. The syrup uses a 2:1 sugar-to-water formulation made with invert sugar syrup, fructose, and HiveAlive.
Each pouch contains 26 fl oz of feed and is placed directly inside the hive. The syrup is already prepared, and the pouch itself serves as the feeding container.
Available in 2-count and 8-count packages.
What Does 2:1 Bee Syrup Mean, and When Is It Used?
A 2:1 syrup describes the sugar-to-water ratio of the formulation. It contains proportionally more sugar and less water than a thinner 1:1 syrup.
Thicker 2:1 syrup is commonly used when the feeding objective is to provide concentrated carbohydrates and help a colony add food stores.
Supplemental feeding should still be based on colony condition, available food stores, weather, season, and local forage conditions rather than the calendar alone. Liquid feeding also becomes less practical when temperatures are cold enough that bees are no longer readily taking and processing syrup.
Stop feeding HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup two weeks before adding honey supers.
Why Use a Ready-to-Use Feeding Pouch?
Traditional liquid feeding may involve measuring sugar and water, mixing syrup, transporting it to the apiary, filling a feeder, and cleaning reusable feeding equipment afterward.
HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup is already prepared, and the pouch serves as the feeding container. This can reduce the preparation and equipment involved in supplemental liquid feeding.
The pouch format may be useful when you:
- want to avoid mixing sugar syrup;
- prefer a premeasured, ready-to-use feed;
- want to feed syrup inside the hive; or
- want to reduce the amount of reusable feeding equipment that needs to be cleaned and stored.
Ingredients and What HiveAlive Is
HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup contains:
- Invert sugar syrup
- Fructose
- HiveAlive
Invert sugar syrup contains simpler sugars such as glucose and fructose.
HiveAlive is a liquid honey bee feed supplement made primarily from a blend of seaweed extracts with lemongrass and thyme oil. It is already incorporated into EZ Feed Super Syrup, so it does not need to be added separately.
HiveAlive is part of the feed formulation and should not be viewed as a substitute for monitoring colony condition, nutrition, pests, food stores, or other management needs.
How to Feed HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup
- Check the pouch for damage or leakage before placing it in the hive.
- Place the pouch horizontally inside the hive with the printed side facing down. For the most direct access, place it on top of the frames when there is enough clearance above the pouch. It may also be placed on top of the inner cover when that setup provides adequate space; if using the inner cover, keep its opening unobstructed so the bees can reach the feed.
- Use a sharp object, like a pin, to carefully puncture multiple holes. Create 1 - 3 holes to mimic a nectar flow for Spring build-up, or 3 - 7 holes if fast syrup consumption is needed.
- Avoid unnecessarily large openings that could allow syrup to escape too quickly. Also do not puncture sides or bottom of the pouch, as it will cause it to leak.
- Make sure there is enough vertical space above the pouch before closing the hive. The pouch measures approximately 1.25" high when full.
The hive cover should not compress a full pouch. Depending on the hive configuration, additional clearance may be needed. An 8 or 10 Frame Bee Hive Super Tall Shim can provide additional space when the existing hive setup does not have enough clearance for the pouch.
Feeding instructions are based on HiveAlive’s manufacturer guidance, with additional notes from Lappe’s Bee Supply.
What Lappe's Has Found Using These Pouches
Lappe's Bee Supply has used HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup on our own colonies during spring buildup, periods of limited natural nectar, with newly established colonies, and in other situations where supplemental carbohydrate feeding was appropriate.
We have used these pouches in both our 10-frame Langstroth hive setups and our 5-frame nucs. In the 10-frame hives, we placed two pouches horizontally across the tops of the frames. In the 5-frame nucs, we used one pouch placed horizontally across the frames. In both setups, we made sure there was enough clearance above the feed before closing the hive.
In our use, bees readily accessed the syrup when the pouch was laid flat inside the hive and punctured after it was in its final position. We have found that placing the pouch first, then making small feeding holes, helps reduce unnecessary handling and makes it easier to avoid accidental leaks.
Hive clearance has also been important in our experience. We check the available space above the pouch before puncturing it so the hive cover does not press against a full pouch. When additional room is needed, a feeding shim or similar spacer can provide the necessary clearance.
We have also found that small, controlled punctures work better than large openings. Larger or accidental holes can release syrup faster than intended and create unnecessary mess inside the hive.
The main practical advantage for us is convenience. The pouches eliminate the need to mix syrup, transport it in a separate container, fill a feeder, and clean that feeder afterward. The tradeoff is capacity: when a colony needs larger amounts of syrup repeatedly, a reusable higher-capacity feeder may be the more practical choice.
Difference Between the 2-Count and 8-Count Packages
The 2-count package provides a smaller quantity for beekeepers who only need a few pouches or want to keep a limited amount of feed on hand.
The 8-count package provides more pouches for beekeepers feeding multiple colonies or expecting to use supplemental syrup more than once.
Each pouch contains 26 fl oz of feed.
Storage and Product Expiration
Store unused feed pouches in a cool, dry location and protect them from punctures, tears, and other package damage. Keep the pouches sealed until you are ready to use them, and check each pouch for leakage or other signs of damage before placing it in the hive.
Product Expiration Notice: Feed products have a defined expiration date printed on the packaging and may not have the full shelf life remaining at the time of purchase. If you plan to order feed in advance, we recommend contacting us beforehand to confirm the expiration dates of our current inventory. Any product remaining after the expiration date is not eligible for refund or replacement.
After the Pouch Has Been Opened
Once a pouch has been punctured and placed in the hive, leave it in place while the bees are actively consuming the syrup. Avoid unnecessary handling or moving the opened pouch, which can increase the chance of syrup leaking inside the hive.
If the bees stop consuming the feed and syrup remains in the pouch, remove the pouch from the hive and discard the remaining feed. Do not save or store a partially consumed, punctured pouch for later use.
Remove and properly dispose of empty pouches when feeding is complete.
At a Glance
| Product Detail | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Ready-to-use supplemental carbohydrate bee feed in disposable feeding pouches |
| Available Quantities | 2-count and 8-count packages |
| Pouch Volume | 26 fl oz per pouch |
| Formulation | 2:1 sugar-to-water formulation |
| Ingredients | Invert sugar syrup, fructose, and HiveAlive |
| Preparation | Ready to use with no sugar-and-water mixing required |
| Feeding Method | Place the pouch horizontally inside the hive with the printed side facing down. Use 1–3 punctures for spring buildup or 3–7 punctures when faster syrup consumption is desired |
| Separate Liquid Feeder | Not required when feeding directly from the pouch |
| Hive-Space Requirement | Allow approximately 1.25 inches of vertical clearance for a full pouch so the hive cover does not compress it |
| Honey Super Timing | Stop feeding 2 weeks before adding honey supers |
Is This the Right Type of Feed for Your Colony?
HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup is a supplemental carbohydrate feed. It may be useful when you want a concentrated, ready-to-use liquid feed without preparing syrup or filling a separate feeder.
A different product may be more appropriate if your colony needs a thinner syrup formulation, dry carbohydrate feed, protein supplementation, or a reusable feeding system with greater capacity.
This product supplies carbohydrates and should not be confused with a pollen substitute or protein supplement.
Other Feeding Options
If you expect to provide larger quantities of syrup repeatedly, a reusable feeder may be a better match for your setup.
- Ultimate Three Season Honey Bee Feeder — a reusable, higher-capacity in-hive feeding alternative.
- 9-5/8" Deep In-Hive Frame Feeder with Cap and Ladders — a reusable frame-style liquid feeder.
- Honey Bee Universal Hive Top Feeder with Jars — a refillable hive-top feeding option.
For additional syrup, dry feed, protein supplements, and feeder styles, browse Honey Bee Feed & Feeders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to mix this bee feed with water?
No. The syrup is ready to use and does not require additional sugar or water.
What is HiveAlive?
HiveAlive is a liquid honey bee feed supplement made primarily from a blend of seaweed extracts with lemongrass and thyme oil. It is already incorporated into HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup.
Is this a protein supplement?
No. HiveAlive EZ Feed Super Syrup is primarily a supplemental carbohydrate feed. It is not a pollen substitute or protein supplement.
How long will one pouch last?
Consumption varies with colony strength, available food stores, weather, season, forage conditions, and other factors. Monitor the colony rather than relying on a fixed number of days per pouch.
Are there times when bees may not take this feed?
Yes. Bees may take little or none of the feed during a strong nectar flow, in cold weather, or when they have enough natural food available. Feeding activity can also vary by colony strength, season, and weather conditions.
Should every colony be fed supplemental syrup?
Not necessarily. Supplemental feeding should be based on colony condition, available stores, seasonal needs, weather, and local forage conditions.
