I just checked the syrup in my hive-top feeder and it smells a little rancid, with some mold around the edges. Can this hurt the bees? They seem to be feeding just fine and I would prefer to not remove the feeder while it is so cold(highs in the 30's forecasted for whole next week.)
I would think the mold creates an issue. I would recommend you change it so as to not cause any illness or cause the honey to ferment.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
Mold doesn't hurt the bee's, not sure about the smell but trust your bee's, if they dont like it they want drink it, if you wonder about it and it bothers you just wash the container and make some new syrup, I usually clean mine once they start getting mold in them but if I have syrup in it I will let the bee's empty it first then clean, that just me!!!!
I always had the problem of sugar water going rancid last summer (I had just installed a package). I would have maybe 2 days before the bees would stop drinking it and it would smell sour...don't get me started on the taste. :lol:
I once got my bees drunk!!
I had washed out my extractor after the OSR (Canolla)crop, and rather than waste it gave it too a newly caught swarm, two hot humid and sweltering days later (yes we do get then in Yorkshire) I peeked in, minus hat and veil and tried to remove the now nearly empty container. The bees were having none of it, and had a go at me, stinging me on the chin. It was not till later I realised the fumes coming from the container were positively alcholic, so couldn't blame the bees - I was stealing the last remains of their booze. End of party and they were not amused!