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Title: feeding bees heated honey
Post by: goertzen29 on September 05, 2010, 06:27:42 PM

I read somewhere that one shouldn't feed over-heated honey to their bees. I had some leftover dark honey from last year that was completely crystallized. I re-liquefied it in a double boiler but got sidetracked and left it on the stove longer than I intended. The temperature had reached just under 140 degrees. Does anyone know if feeding this back to my bees would be harmful?

thanks
Jay

Title: Re: feeding bees heated honey
Post by: Bee Happy on September 05, 2010, 06:36:08 PM

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that 'burned' honey gives them the runs.

Title: Re: feeding bees heated honey
Post by: iddee on September 05, 2010, 07:33:03 PM

Honey doesn't burn until it goes beyond 160 F. Yours should be fine for bees or people.

Title: Re: feeding bees heated honey
Post by: goertzen29 on September 06, 2010, 12:38:54 AM

Thanks Iddee, I thought I would be fine with it being in a double boiler but wasn't sure. Thanks

Title: Re: feeding bees heated honey
Post by: Michael Bush on September 07, 2010, 05:50:45 PM

Overheated honey contains high levels of Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) which is poisonous to bees.

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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: goertzen29 on September 05, 2010, 06:27:42 PM