Science-Based Hive Stimulant for Stronger Brood

Spring honey production starts with winter brood-building, the colonies you build up in July and August become the foraging powerhouses of October through February. Australian winters bring low pollen and nectar, slowing queen laying and keeping brood numbers stagnant. Hives that come out of winter weak never reach peak strength in time for the main honey flow, meaning smaller harvests and fewer splits.

VitaHive™ Brood Booster™ was formulated to solve exactly this. It's a concentrated hive stimulant made in New Zealand from hydrolysed protein, essential amino acids, plant oils, vitamins, and minerals designed to break winter dormancy and stimulate earlier, stronger queen laying. Just 250ml makes up to 25 litres of bee feed, with measurable improvements confirmed through testing on commercial apiaries across New Zealand and Australia.

Why Should I Feed Brood Booster?

Strong spring hives come from brood-building in late winter. A queen needs to be laying by July to August so those eggs become foraging workers by October, just as the nectar flow begins. Brood Booster delivers the exact nutrition queens and nurse bees need to ramp up laying earlier, resulting in higher peak hive size, better honey yields, and fewer winter losses the following year.

What's Actually In It?

Key ingredients include hydrolysed protein (mimics pollen protein for nurse bees), sucrose for energy, L-tryptophan for brood development, lecithin for nutrient absorption, and thymol, lemongrass, and spearmint oils for gut health and feeding stimulation. It's free from GMO ingredients, soy, animal products, and antibiotics.

How Do I Use It?

For feeder application, mix 10ml per litre of syrup. For drench feeding, use 30ml per litre, pouring one cup directly over frames. Start in July or August and continue until hives reach desired strength. Pair with VitaHive Power Feed for maximum brood-rearing impact.

When Should I Start and Stop?

Start in late winter (earlier in warmer regions, later in Tasmania), continue into early spring, and always stop before adding honey supers, typically September to October. Optional autumn feeding can help build winter-strong colonies.

Will It Affect My Honey?

Not if used correctly. The manufacturer recommends never feeding with honey supers on, since sucrose could raise C4 sugar levels in harvested honey. Feed before adding supers in spring and after removing them in autumn, with zero impact on honey quality when timed this way.

What Results Should I Expect?

Beekeepers report earlier queen laying, visibly larger brood patches within 2 to 3 weeks, faster spring buildup, better honey yields, and lower winter losses the following season.

How Far Does 250ml Go?

The concentrate makes up to 25 litres of finished feed, enough for a small hobby apiary (3 to 5 hives) through a full winter-to-spring buildup. Larger operations should consider the 1L, 5L, or 20L sizes.

Should I Combine With Pollen Supplements?

Yes, ideally with VitaHive Power Feed. Brood Booster stimulates laying, while Power Feed gives nurse bees the protein to feed new larvae, together delivering a stronger spring buildup than either alone.

Specifications

• Brand: VitaHive™
• Size: 250ml concentrate, makes up to 25L of finished feed
• Made in: New Zealand
• Key ingredients: Hydrolysed protein, sucrose, thymol, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil
• Free from: GMO, soy, animal products, antibiotics
• Standard dilution: 10ml per litre (feeder feeding)
• Drench dilution: 30ml per litre (direct application)
• Best feeding window: July to September in Australia
• Restriction: Do not feed with honey supers in place