View Full Version : fermented honey feed
I have a pail of dandylion honey from the spring that wasn't capped that now has a bit of an apple cider smell. I suspect it's started to ferment.
Is it OK to feed back to the bees?
I've read an earlier post of making mead with it but in my opinon if i'm gonna wait 6 months to try some good brew it's not going to be a crap shoot with maybe OK honey.
Thoughts?
beemandan
09-30-2008, 08:02 PM
I have a pail of dandylion honey from the spring that wasn't capped that now has a bit of an apple cider smell. I suspect it's started to ferment.
Is it OK to feed back to the bees?
No.......
I'm curious why not?
What would happen?
Would bees catch a buzz :-) ?
That last is a joke, but I really am curious, why not?
I've never done it, but I assume if the bees take it, then it is fine, and if they don't, it isn't. If there is some reason not to try giving it to the bees, what is the problem?
beemandan
10-01-2008, 06:36 AM
Alcohol is poisonous to bees (and people too in the right quantity). Bees will move heaven and earth to remove any objectionable material from their nest. If you can smell it, they can surely detect it. I've had syrup ferment in a hive top feeder, the bees died trying to get it out. I lost several hives. So, depending on how you feed it, it can be a catastrophe (fed inside the hive) or just a nuisance (they might only ignore it in an entrance feeder). Why take the chance?
Anyone want a pail of honey?:no:
What can it be used for?...besides pig slop.