Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: adamant on July 09, 2011, 11:22:32 PM

Title: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: adamant on July 09, 2011, 11:22:32 PM
i found a source to get corn syrup  for 18.95 for 5 gal. it seems cheaper to use corn syrup then sugar doest it?
any of u use corn syrup?
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: joebrown on July 09, 2011, 11:32:03 PM
I have yet to find corn syrup that bees like better than sugar water. I placed a jar of both on a few hives to experiment. They will drink 3 jars of sugar water to one of corn syrup. I am not a believer. My corn syrup typically solidifies in the bottom of the jar it sits there so long! Maybe someone else has had more luck!
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: AllenF on July 10, 2011, 09:18:29 AM
Commercial beeks by corn sugar by the tanker load.  Check the bee suppliers for prices.
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: Finski on July 10, 2011, 05:20:17 PM
Quote from: joebrown on July 09, 2011, 11:32:03 PM
I have yet to find corn syrup that bees like better than sugar water. I placed a jar of both on a few hives to experiment. They will drink 3 jars of sugar water to one of corn syrup. I am not a believer. My corn syrup typically solidifies in the bottom of the jar it sits there so long! Maybe someone else has had more luck!

believe or not, cane sugar is  better to bees than corn syrup.
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: sc-bee on July 10, 2011, 05:30:03 PM
There is a controversy about feeding HFCS. Some think it goes through a change in the hot storage tanks that is harmful to the bees.

My mentor has used it exclusively for years. 18.95 for five gals ---- I think you would have to change that to a price per pound to compare. Not sure what HFCS is running now per lb.
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: joebrown on July 12, 2011, 02:02:00 PM
You can buy a 25lb bag of sugar at Wal-Mart for around 13 to 15 dollars. That will easily make 20 quarts of 1:1 Sugar Syrup, which is 5 gallons. Sugar Syrup is cheaper by far, but it takes more work and time.
Title: Re: Making Sugar Syrup or straight corn syrup
Post by: Bee-Bop on July 12, 2011, 10:20:22 PM
Those that feed corn syrup cut it, I believe 25-30 percent.
Go to a commercial bee forum and get the correct amount, from actual people who use HFCS !!

Bee-Bop