Why Organic Sugar Can Harm Your Honey Bees

Discover the hidden risks of feeding bees organic sugar—and what to use instead. From The Beekeepers Academy.

It might sound counterintuitive, but organic sugar isn’t a healthy option for feeding honey bees. While it’s marketed as a more natural and wholesome alternative for people, it can actually harm—or even kill—your bees. Here’s why we stick with plain white refined sugar:

• Unrefined = Unsafe for Bees

Organic and raw sugars are less processed and often retain compounds from the original plant. These include phenolic compounds, which plants produce as a natural defense against insects. While these compounds are part of what makes plants resilient, they can be toxic to honey bees, especially in concentrated syrup.

Refined sugar—dry in winter, syrup in spring.

• Molasses Residue Can Be Deadly

Brown, raw, and organic sugars often contain traces of molasses. That molasses might be full of minerals and flavor for humans, but it’s toxic to bees. Even a small amount in syrup can cause digestive distress and lead to colony losses.

• Higher Ash and Impurity Content

Compared to refined white sugar, organic sugar contains more ash and other impurities. These can build up in the bee’s gut and contribute to issues like dysentery, especially during winter months when bees can’t take cleansing flights.

• Greater Risk of HMF Formation

Heating sugar syrup—especially from unrefined sources—can lead to the production of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a compound that’s lethal to bees even in small amounts.

In short, feeding organic sugar can compromise colony health in subtle but serious ways. When bees need supplemental feeding, the safest and most effective option is refined white cane sugar. It’s nearly pure sucrose—clean, simple, and easy for bees to digest.