So, some time ago I made candy and put it aside. With the warm weather we have been having, I decided that I would re-boil it and pour it into frames, as it looks like I will be able to do a quick inspection and add them to one of my lighter hives. After boiling the candy again and re-liquefying it, it turned a dark brown color and smelled smokey, almost burnt.
My question is: is this still safe to feed to my bees?
Thanks
Mike
If it is burnt and smells smokey, I wouldn't feed it to them. I have re-liquefied left over candy that had wax and propolis and pollen mixed in with it and it came out brownish, but not burnt smelling. If it was clean candy that turned brown, then no.
Quote from: Tyro on November 19, 2009, 11:51:24 PM
So, some time ago I made candy and put it aside. With the warm weather we have been having, I decided that I would re-boil it and pour it into frames, as it looks like I will be able to do a quick inspection and add them to one of my lighter hives. After boiling the candy again and re-liquefying it, it turned a dark brown color and smelled smokey, almost burnt.
My question is: is this still safe to feed to my bees?
Thanks
Mike
Could you help me understand what "candy" is in this context?
Bee Candy - boiled syrup to 275F and poured into molds where it hardens and can be fed to bees as a solid.
Quote from: homer on November 20, 2009, 12:06:58 AM
Could you help me understand what "candy" is in this context?
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/)
Betty Crocker says;
STIR, STIR, STIR !!!!
Boiling Sugar Water must be stirred continuously,till it reaches 275 degrees, or it will burn. { hard job }
AND be carefull we're talking about some HOT HOT stuff !
I wish people who give out the recipe for Bee Candy would include this info.
Almost time for making Christmas Candy !
Bee-Bop
I guess I should have known about this already, but I didn't. I have a hive that will be getting some sugar candy very shortly.
If you are molding it, what makes a good mold.
Robo... Do your sugar frames work just as well in a full size colony that is really low on stores?
Quote from: homer on November 20, 2009, 09:34:19 PM
Robo... Do your sugar frames work just as well in a full size colony that is really low on stores?
No, the natural tendency of the bees is to move up as winter progresses and food is consumed. Regardless of where the cluster is in the hive, they will work their way up to a sugar board. Depending on where you put a sugar frame, and where the cluster is, there is the chance they will not get to it and starve.
Robo,
Could this formula be used as queen candy as well?
Quote from: wd on November 20, 2009, 10:17:19 PM
Robo,
Could this formula be used as queen candy as well?
I think it may be a little too hard for that. I think your better off just using honey and confectionery sugar