View Full Version : Sugar syrup shelf life
I read the thresd on storing HFCS. Is the same true for sugar syrup or am I assuming too much?
sqkcrk
12-26-2005, 05:13 PM
If stored for a period of time HFCS will separate into liquid and solid parts. Atleast this is true in the barrels that I have dealt with. So far I haven't had any spoil on me, yet. What is the thresd (threshold?) on storing HFCS that you mentioned? I believe that if you keep sugar syrup too long it will either mold or firment. How do you spell ferment, anyway. I'm getting to be more like my Dad every day.
sqkcrk
12-26-2005, 05:15 PM
Forgot to say that my corn syrup storing experience has all been in South Carolina. If you heat HFCS, that has seperated, over a fire the solids will become soft enough to mix back into liquid.
Mark
Robert Hawkins
12-26-2005, 10:45 PM
Sqkcrk, I think he meant thread. And sugar syrup will mold if kept too long. and before you see the mold the bees will tell you by not drinking any more. anytime they stop, mix some new food.
wayacoyote
12-27-2005, 03:28 AM
Right
When I had only a couple of hives to feed and they weren't taking the whole batch fast enough, I jugged it up and froze it to keep from spoiling. I also learned from someone here that a little acidity reduced mold, so I used a dab of lemon juice.
I finally got tired of them taking it slow and got some frame-feeders. They took it faster than it could spoil then.
Waya
beemandan
12-27-2005, 06:43 AM
1:1 sugar/water syrup will ferment pretty quickly in warm weather. If it does so inside a hive, like with a division board or hive top feeder, it can have devestating effects....take it from someone who has had that experience.
2:1 sugar/water is much slower to ferment. In cold weather the water in it may evaporate before fermentation can occur. I don't know what it will do in warm weather as I only use 2:1 as a winter supplement.
Whatever time of year I have need to feed, I go back in about 1 week and check to make sure that the bees have consumed the syrup. If there is much left I remove it.
Dan
www.boogerhillbee.com (http://www.boogerhillbee.com)
[ December 27, 2005, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: beemandan ]
Michael Bush
12-27-2005, 07:26 AM
If you add a bit of any organic acid (citric, ascorbic, acetic etc.) it will preserve the syrup pretty well. I've been buying the large bulk 1000mg vitamin C tablets and adding between seven and fourteen to the water while boiling it, before adding the sugar. I've been using seven for 2:1 and fourteen for 1:1. It seems to keep pretty well with that. You could also buy citric acid in the canning section at the grocery store and add that. Some people use vinegar or lemon juice. I haven't tried them.
Thanks for all the info!!
beemandan
12-27-2005, 09:33 AM
Michael Bush >I've been using seven for 2:1 and fourteen for 1:1.
Is that per gallon?
Dan
www.boogerhillbee.com (http://www.boogerhillbee.com)
Michael Bush
12-27-2005, 10:16 AM
Sorry. That's for a five gallons.