Where to find powdered sugar without cornstarch?

**davel** · 03-26-2011, 08:18 AM

I live in Georgia. Can anyone tell me where to buy powdered sugar that doesn't have cornstarch? I've checked Wally World and a local supermarket but they have cornstarch added.
Thanks!

**concrete-bees** · 03-26-2011, 08:47 AM

sometime you will find it in specialty health nut stores - but it will cost you a pretty penny for a small bag

better to just make your own - just take table sugar and dump in a cup into the bender and hit spin - it takes a little time but its nice powder sugar without the starch - then just apply with a sifting screen to avoid clumps

best of luck

**Dave W** · 03-26-2011, 09:02 AM

If you are using PS as a mite treatment the cornstarch will not matter. The bees will not consume enough to make a difference.

Just dont "feed" bees a lot of sugar containing cornstarch!

**concrete-bees** · 03-26-2011, 09:13 AM

the adult bees will not be harmed by the corn starch - its the open brood that gets killed - the starch is like dry cement and will coat the larve and they dry up -
thats why you want PS with no Cornstarch in it

**Dave W** · 03-26-2011, 09:35 AM

Tests have shown very little brood is affected when using PS (w/ or wo cornstarch).

The original cornstarch warning pertained to feeding. Someone concluded the information held true when the PS treatment method was developed years later.

**ArkansasBK** · 03-26-2011, 09:59 AM

Does anyone use the garden-type bellows blower to blow powdered sugar up onto the bees from the entrance or from under the SBB?

**Jim 134** · 03-26-2011, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by concrete-bees

the adult bees will not be harmed by the corn starch - its the open brood that gets killed - the starch is like dry cement and will coat the larve and they dry up -
thats why you want PS with no Cornstarch in it

Powdered sugar will dry out open brood if it get in to the cell
just my $0.02
(Cornstarch or not)

BEE HAPPY Jim 134

**davel** · 03-26-2011, 01:36 PM

I'm going to treat a package with the powdered sugar before they have brood.
I will just make my own if it's that simple.

Thank you all for your help! This site is great and y'all are very helpful!!!

**Fuzzy** · 03-26-2011, 11:29 AM

If using for feeding, you can purchase "Baker sugar" made by C&H. It is not quite "powdered" but very fine crystals and NO additives. Larger grocery outlets should carry it.