Winter Green Oil

[tshumate]

O.K. I have heard that Winter Green Oil can be used in sugar syrup solution to prevent the sugar syrup from fermenting. Does anyone know how many drops to a gallon to use? I know if it ferments it can give the girls Nosema.

Thanks,
Tim S.

[HONEYDEW]

I've never heard of the bees getting Nosema from fermented sugar water. Nosema is a virus....

[DeeAnna]

Nosema is a single-celled parasite, not a virus. Nosema is spread when bees ingest fecal matter contaminated with the spores. If your syrup is contaminated with bee feces, I suppose it could be a source of nosema transmission, but fermentation of sugar syrup is not a sign of nosema contamination. Fermentation is caused by yeasts, not nosema. --DeeAnna

[Daddy'sBees]

I use wintergreen and lemongrass oil drops in every sugar/water mix I make for the bees. Some say they are considered essential oils. I know the bees like it and it helps keep the varroa mite numbers down! I put 3 or 4 drops per gallon of mix. I shake the mix up really well before putting in the feeder. I know it doesn't mix as it is an oil, but it definitely gives the sugar/water mix the fragrance!!!

[tshumate]

Thanks for the info folks. So as I understand it Nosema is not from fermented syrup. Can fermented syrup cause digetive issues? Again thanks for the info/guidance.

Tim S.

[feltze]

If you do a search for "hbh recipe" you may find additional information on the site.

I use a spoon full of lechithin granuals disolved in water add a teaspoon of lemongrass oil, and several drops of wintergreen oil mixed in a 20 oz water container. That becomes my psudo-hbh. That stays in the fridge and when I make some feed for the bees I give each bucket a spoon full or so of my premix.

[HONEYDEW]

Nosema is a single-celled parasite, not a virus --DeeAnna

Ya what DeeAnna said.....

[tommyt]

A bit of Bleach will stop it from fermenting
Also apple cider vinegar


JMHO
Ok let the Fire roar

Tommyt

[dmpower]

The lecithin is used as an emulsifier for feltze's hbh recipe.

[TonyC]

Fatbeeman in GA says you can put the oils and one cup of water into a blender. Blend, on low (i think) for 5 full minutes to emulsify the oils. The mixture can then be mixed with syrup and fed to your bees.

TonyC