[Alram]

I had taken some frames off a hive we were combining. The frames were mostly uncapped honey. I wrapped the frames in plastic and placed in freezer to kill the stages of wax moth and hive beetles. Then I removed them because I do not have room in the freezer for long term storage and then left in the frames in the garage. Because I had a hive that was low on honey stores I unwrapped a few frames and put them on the hive. Some of the honey in the cells was fermenting because you could see the honey in the cells foaming. And the frames smelled like yeast. I put the frames on the hive anyway. Is there a problem in giving bees fermented honey? These frames were brood frames not frames that I would use to harvest honey later. But I wondered what effect it would have on the bees. Also there was a bit of honey in the plastic bag the frame was wrapped in which also smelled fermented but I added it to the sugar water I was feeding them. Any problem?

 

[Bdfarmer555]

I've had hives put up a medium super of nectar that fermented. I take the super from the hive, and give 1 frame to each strong hive untill I'm out of frames. I don't think it's good for them, but a strong hive can fix just a single frame.

However, I have only done this first of August. This time of year is a different situation.

 

[elmer_fud]

One of my coworkers told me a few of his bees took some wine one day, then they were a bit drunk. It sounded like they only got a few drops of wine and only the bees that drank it got drunk.

I would dump out the sugar water. If you added fermenting honey to it you are going to have fermented sugar water fairly soon. I do not think this will be good for the bees.

 

[Ravenseye]

I've done it but not in great quantity. There used to be conversation that it was either a CURE for dysentery or it CAUSED dysentery and I'm inclined to believe that while it may cause them to fly and defecate more often it certainly isn't a cure. I'd feed a little and make sure they can fly if they need to.

 

[JWPalmer]

We pilots have a saying, "eight hours from bottle to throttle". How are you going to make sure your girls are not going to try flying while drunk?

Like the others, I believe the bees can tolerate a small amount of fermented honey. I do not think it should be part of a regular diet, nor given in large quantities. Safest bet is to wash the fermented honey out and just feed syrup.

 

[tpope]

I always give my fermented honey to the keeper...