Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Echium on April 22, 2011, 06:35:53 PM

Title: Will this nectar still be ok for the bees?
Post by: Echium on April 22, 2011, 06:35:53 PM
I have a few frames of nectar (not honey) from another hive that have been sitting in my garage for 2-3 days.  I will be putting them in a new hive and just want to be sure if it will be safe.  Is it possible for the nectar to go bad in three days, or will it be ok?
Title: Re: Will this nectar still be ok for the bees?
Post by: schawee on April 22, 2011, 06:39:04 PM
i don't see anything wrong with doing that.    ...schawee
Title: Re: Will this nectar still be ok for the bees?
Post by: Echium on April 22, 2011, 06:41:12 PM
I'm curious how long it takes before nectar starts to ferment?
Title: Re: Will this nectar still be ok for the bees?
Post by: sc-bee on April 22, 2011, 07:04:34 PM
I would think that would depend on the sugar content and water moisture of the nectar. Surely no problem in three days. If fermenting you should be able to tell and probably smell. At least honey in a bucket will foam and begin to smell like wine.

I have never had any ferment in the comb except from SHB problems. If I have extra frames to keep for a while I freeze them.
Title: Re: Will this nectar still be ok for the bees?
Post by: schawee on April 22, 2011, 07:25:22 PM
i had frames of 3/4 caped and 3months later its still like i had it the first day.if the moisture is above 18 %and its caped or jared it will ferment.how long ,well it depends on the moisture.higher moisture content  will ferment faster than lower moisture content above 18%