Thymol Recipe for Beekeeping — Winter Feed & Sugar Syrup Guide

Looking for a reliable thymol recipe in beekeeping? This step-by-step guide shows you how to prepare an easy emulsified thymol premix that can be added to bee food such as sugar syrup. Using thymol in your winter feed helps to stop fermentation, keeping syrup fresh and safe for your colonies during the colder months. A simple method, trusted by beekeepers, to support healthy bees and reduce waste.

🐝 Thymol Premix Calculator

Use this tool to calculate either from thymol weight or desired final premix volume.

🐝 Emulsified Thymol Premix — Step-by-Step Instructions

Use this premix to dose bee syrup. The recipe scales linearly and produces a milky, fully emulsified mix.

Safety first: Isopropyl alcohol is flammable. Work away from naked flames and ignition sources. Use a hot water bath (not direct heat), wear gloves/eye protection, and if reheating later, do it outdoors.

Ingredients (Base Batch ≈ 175 ml)

  • 30 g thymol crystals
  • 5 ml isopropyl alcohol (IPA)
  • 140 ml boiling water
  • 1 tsp lecithin granules (~≈ 3 g)

Yield guide: ~5.8 ml finished premix per gram of thymol.

Equipment

  • Two clean jars with lids (e.g., honey jars)
  • Heatproof bowl or pan for a hot water bath
  • Teaspoon, stirrer, small strainer/tea strainer (optional)
  • Labels/marker for dating the batch

Method

  1. Set up hot water bath: Fill a pan with hot/boiling water and keep just off the boil. Do not heat jars directly over a flame.
  2. Dissolve thymol: Add 30 g thymol crystals to Jar A. Add 5 ml IPA. Place Jar A in the hot water bath and swirl occasionally until crystals fully dissolve and the liquid is clear.
  3. Make lecithin solution: In Jar B add 140 ml boiling water and 1 tsp lecithin granules. Stir well and place Jar B in the water bath, stirring often for about 10 minutes until mostly dissolved. Optionally strain through a tea strainer to remove any undissolved granules, returning the smooth liquid to Jar B.
  4. Combine: Pour the clear thymol solution from Jar A into Jar B (lecithin solution). Seal and shake vigorously until uniformly milky.
  5. Label & store: Mark the jar with date/contents. Store sealed in a cool, dark place. If crystals form later, tip into a small pan and gently reheat in a hot water bath outdoors, then shake again.

How to Use (Feed Dosing)

Add 5 ml premix per gallon (4.54 L) of syrup and stir. The syrup will turn milky.

Quick dose guide
  • 4.54 L (1 gal) syrup → 5 ml premix
  • 9.1 L (2 gal) syrup → 10 ml premix
  • 22.7 L (5 gal) syrup → 25 ml premix

For beekeeping use only. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

🧪 How to Dose Syrup with Thymol Premix

Standard rate: 5 ml premix per UK gallon (4.54 L) of feed. The syrup will turn slightly milky when mixed.

  1. Measure your feed volume. Note litres or UK gallons. (1 UK gal = 4.54 L.)
  2. Use the calculator above to find the exact premix required for your batch size.
  3. Add premix to the syrup. Pour the measured premix into your sugar syrup.
  4. Stir thoroughly until the syrup turns uniformly milky (even dispersion).
  5. Feed as normal. Keep the remaining premix sealed, cool, and away from ignition sources.

Quick Dose Guide

Feed Volume Premix (ml) Teaspoons (≈5 ml)
4.54 L (1 UK gal) 5 ml 1 tsp
9.08 L (2 UK gal) 10 ml 2 tsp
22.7 L (5 UK gal) 25 ml 5 tsp (≈1 tbsp + 2 tsp)
45.4 L (10 UK gal) 50 ml 10 tsp (≈3 tbsp + 1 tsp)

Tip: 1 tbsp = 3 tsp ≈ 15 ml.

Notes & Safety:
  • Use UK gallons (not US). If unsure, enter litres in the calculator.
  • Stir well for even dispersion; the milky look is normal.
  • Store premix sealed, cool, and away from ignition sources. Re-warm gently in a hot water bath if crystals appear.

🧪 Syrup Dose Calculator

Dose rate: 5 ml premix per UK gallon (4.54 L).

Note: 1 UK gal = 4.54 L. 1 tsp ≈ 5 ml. Keep premix away from ignition sources; mix into syrup and stir until milky.

🐝 Thymol Premix FAQ

Why use lecithin in the thymol premix?

Lecithin acts as an emulsifier. It allows thymol (which is not water-soluble) to disperse evenly in syrup, giving a consistent, milky solution instead of floating crystals or oil droplets.

How long does the premix last?

Stored in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place, it remains stable for several months. If crystals form, simply re-warm the mixture gently in a hot water bath outdoors and shake well.

How much premix do I add to syrup?

Add 5 ml premix per gallon (4.54 L) of syrup. The syrup will turn cloudy/milky when mixed in.

Can I scale the recipe?

Yes. The recipe scales linearly. For example, using 15 g thymol yields ~87.5 ml premix, with other ingredients halved in the same ratio.

What if my premix crystallises?

Crystals can form if stored in cold conditions. To fix this, place the jar in a hot water bath (outdoors, away from ignition sources) until crystals dissolve, then shake well.

Is it safe for bees?

Yes, at the recommended dose rate (5 ml/gallon syrup). Thymol is widely used in beekeeping for its anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties, but overdosing may cause feed rejection.