[Deeptime]

I'm feeding 2:1 water -sugar. Having tremendous nectar flow, so feeding has slowed considerably. How do you tell if syrup's gone bad? :doh:

 

[SwedeBee1970]

Try putting a little bit at the hive entrance to see if they're interested. I just dump it on the ground about 10 feet away and observe.

 

[elkridge]

Drink a glass and see if it makes you feel like dancing.:shhhh:

 

[honeyman46408]

I don`t belive I heard that:doh:

 

[concrete-bees]

finding out if sugar has fermented is really quite simple

when sugar starts to ferment it changes from a sugar to an alcohol - so to tell if it went bad it would smell of booo's

also one other thing ........ WHY on earth are you feeding 2:1 ?????

that might be why they are not taking it - they need thin syrup to make it seem like nector ---

save 2:1 for fall feeding

 

[beemandan]

Don't give them more than they can consume in a couple of days...then fermentation shouldn't be an issue. If they stop taking syrup, stop feeding. If you're trying to supplement a new colony to help them draw comb and they stop taking syrup, stop feeding for a couple of weeks, then try again.
They'll take 2:1 as readily as 1:1 but the 2:1 is a pain to make and unnecessary.

 

[Deeptime]

Mix is 2 parts water, one part sugar

 

[concrete-bees]

1:1 Is one part sugar to one part water -- 1lb of sugar to 1lb of water -
8lbs of sugar to one gallon of water

2:1 is two parts sugar to 1 part water --2lbs of sugar to 1lb of water
16lbs of sugar to one gallon of water

1:2 is one part sugar to 2 parts water - 1lb of sugar to 2 lbs of water
4lbs of water to one gallon of water

this is what to go by --- and dont flip out if you only have 7lbs of sugar or you dumped 10lbs of water in --- its just sugar water -

but you want thin in spring and thicker it fall -

if you are worried about making too much - freeze the extra since it will not ferment - just thawout the day before needed

if you just need for a few hives - take and put 2 cups of sugar in quart jars and put lids on them - then when you need then just fill with water and shake and serve

hope you all have a great day

 

[beemandan]

Mix is 2 parts water, one part sugar

The purpose is to get carbohydrates into the hive. Pretty much any ratio you use will do that. I am curious, what made you choose 2 parts water to 1 part sugar?