Bee Nutrition in the UK
When we think about bees, most of us picture them happily foraging in summer meadows, collecting nectar and pollen from a variety of flowers. While this is an important part of their diet, the reality for UK beekeepers is that colonies face very different nutritional challenges throughout the year.
At Wyefield Apiaries, we believe good nutrition is the foundation of healthy, productive hives. Whether you’re a hobbyist beekeeper or managing many colonies, understanding bee nutrition is vital to supporting your bees.
What Do Honeybees Eat?
Honeybees naturally gather two key food sources:
Nectar: their main source of carbohydrates, converted into honey for storage.
Pollen: their primary source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and fats.
A balanced diet ensures strong brood rearing, resistance to disease, and enough energy for foraging flights.
Seasonal Nutrition in the UK
Spring: Colonies expand quickly, so protein (pollen) is essential for brood rearing. Early forage such as willow, dandelion, and fruit blossom are critical.
Summer: With plenty of forage available, bees can build honey stores. However, in areas of monoculture (e.g. oilseed rape), bees may benefit from varied sources to avoid nutritional gaps.
Autumn: As forage declines, bees must store enough honey and pollen to survive winter. Supplementary feeding is often required to prepare colonies.
Winter: Colonies cluster to conserve energy. Stores of honey (and sometimes supplementary feed) keep them alive until spring.
Why Supplementary Feeding Matters
Even the most experienced beekeepers in the UK face periods when natural forage is limited. Poor weather, habitat loss, or intensive farming can reduce pollen diversity and nectar flow.
This is where carefully chosen supplements can make the difference between a weak colony and a thriving one. Protein supplements, pollen substitutes, and carbohydrate feeds all have their place in responsible beekeeping.
Supporting Beekeepers Across the UK
We provide feed and supplements not only for our own bees, but also for fellow beekeepers across the country, like Black Mountain Honey!
They place a strong emphasis on keeping calm, manageable bees, ensuring that their colonies are enjoyable to work with as well as productive. This focus on temperament helps them maintain healthy stock while still achieving reliable honey yields.
They also take pride in producing pure, unpasteurised honey that retains its natural qualities. As they keep processing to a minimum, their honey remains true to what comes out of the hive. Alongside their beekeeping, they share insights and updates through social media and video, giving customers and fellow beekeepers a closer look at their day-to-day work.
Final Thoughts
Bee nutrition is not just about keeping colonies alive but rather helping them thrive. If you understand their seasonal needs and providing support when forage is scarce, UK beekeepers can ensure their bees remain healthy, productive, and resilient.
If you’d like to learn more about the feeds and supplements we provide, or how we support beekeepers nationwide, please get in touch with us at Wyefield Apiaries.
