Honey Bee Tea
We’ve decided to feed
our bees, mainly because we are not at all certain they are getting the food
requirements necessary to sustain them. Another reason is that we have seen
them become weaker over these past 5 years with more losses and smaller hives
with fewer stores of honey.
Critical point has
long been reached.
We add mushrooms to
our Honey Bee Tea because we have seen the extensive research on how beneficial
these organisms are to both humans and bees, in particular the Immune
Strengthening properties of medicinal mushrooms. It’s as simple as steeping
mushrooms in hot water for ½ hour along with the herbs….
The plastic feeders
are probably better suited – the bees are able to cling on the sides more
efficiently, however the bees don’t like plastic. A wooden feeder is preferred because it is natural material –
rough up the sides to enable them to cling to the surface and not fall into the
sugar syrup. Or use an inverted container with small holes in the bottom, either way get started with a method that works for you and your bees.
Ingredients:
•
16 cups white cane sugar (raw cane sugar gives them diarrhoea)
•
6 cups hot tap water
•
2 cups strongly brewed chamomile, dandelion and/or thyme tea
•
¼ to ½ teaspoon mineral salt
•
Mushrooms steeped in with herbs (shitake, miatake, oyster etc.)
•
1 – 2 drops therapeutic grade Essential oil of thyme or oregano
(optional)
Method:
•
Dissolve sugar and salt in 6 cups hot/chlorine free water and
stir until gains are gone
•
Boil 2 cups water, pour over tea, and let it steep (covered) for
10-15 minutes
•
Gently mash & stir mushroom/tea mixture, strain carefully
then add to sugar water
•
Mix together gently by hand for about 3 minutes
•
Fill feeders (wooden is best)
We
use therapeutic grade Essential Oils to boost properties of the sugar solution
and also to discourage any mold growth in the short term, inside the hive. Make
sure there is a float for the bees to land on in the frame feeder. Monitor the
feeders closely for wasps, damage, mold and usage. Change out herbs from time
to time – use elder flower, hawthorne flower, rosemary and so forth for many
different health benefits.
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| Danann Design Top Bar Bee Hive with viewing glass |
Come On, Bee A Rebel!
