Found a tired bee at home and no flowers nearby? White sugar and warm water can give it the energy to fly again. The RSPB recommends two parts white granulated sugar to one part water. Offer one drop near the bee’s head and give it space.
When a bee needs sugar water
Not every bee on the ground needs help. Many are resting in the sun or waiting out a cold spell. Watch for ten minutes first. A bee that stays still with no flowers close by may be low on fuel. A drop of sugar water can give it the boost to carry on.
What you need
- White granulated sugar
- Slightly warm water
- A spoon for mixing
- A saucer, bottle cap, or clean leaf
No kit is needed for this method. Everything is in most kitchens.
How to make sugar water for bees
- Measure two spoons of white sugar and one spoon of warm water.
- Stir until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Let the mix cool to room temperature.
- Place one drop on a saucer or clean leaf close to the bee.
- Stand back and wait.
Use white granulated sugar. White sugar is close to the natural sugars in flower nectar, so bees digest it with ease. A feeding bee uncurls its tongue and drinks. Recovery takes five to twenty minutes.
What never to add
Some foods harm bees. Keep to plain white sugar and water.
- Honey can carry a disease called American Foulbrood that spreads through hives. Here is never give bees honey.
- Brown sugar and demerara are harder for bees to digest.
- Sweeteners and artificial sugars are toxic to bees.
- Hot water can harm a bee. Keep the water warm, not hot.
- Fizzy drinks, juice, and cordial are too acidic and have the wrong sugars.
If the bee does not respond
Leave the bee for about thirty minutes. If it still cannot fly, move it to a sheltered spot off the ground, away from traffic and predators. For end-of-life and varroa mite guidance, read the full bee revival guide.
Why a kit is the portable backup
Sugar water works at home. On the go, it is harder to mix. Our save a bee kit clips to your keys with bee-safe syrup ready to use. One drop does the same job as homemade sugar water, wherever you find a bee that needs it.