dirty socks?

[Kathyp]

i know we had this conversation before, but can't find the answer.  what do the bees get into that makes the honey/hive smell like dirty socks??  someone did mention goldenrod, but mine is long past blooming.....

[qa33010]

    For me the last couple years was goldenrod.  Last year not so much as there wasn't a lot around but the year before there was a bunch and man did it stink.  Until it was ripe that is.

     You don't have that blooming now do you?  Some one else may have better info.

[Kathyp]

that's probably it.  i was wrong about it being past blooming.  just wandered the field and there is plenty of it still out there.

[bassman1977]

Already?   :shock: :shock:  Heck...ours doesn't start until the end of August.

[johnnybigfish]

 I had boxed a swarm last spring what smelt like that :?. I dont know what it was though...I thought it was some sort of disease, but it went away by itself..I was thinking it was mold from water what may have got in there.

your friend,
john

[sc-bee]

Some Asters

[indypartridge]

Here in central Indiana goldenrod typically blooms in late summer & fall. Last year there was a strong bloom and my hives stank from 30 yards away. They wintered well on the stuff, so I won't complain.

[SgtMaj]

I'm not sure what foulbrood smells like, but I read somewhere that it has a very distinct bad smell.

[Cindi]

SgtMaj.  American Foulbrood does have a horrible stench.  But I don't think it can be likened to bad socks.  That bad sock smell is typical of the Goldenrod.  Thank goodness I don't have that growing near me, hee, hee.  AFB evidently smells more like rotting fish, I have never smelled it, but it is evidently really a nasty and hideous smell.  I don't think it is AFB.  Have a most beautiful and greatfully wonderful day, Cindi

[Kathyp]

no, it's not AFB :-).

after wandering around the place, i realized that there is a lot of goldenrod blooming out in the fields.  in many places, it looks like it's about done.  guess the heavy rain early and the hot weather now got it off to a romping start!  + i didn't mow this year just to see what would come up.  pretty amazing what i have growing in my fields  :?

[sc-bee]

Lots of different Golden Rod that blooms throughout the year. Major honey source up North. Nothing here in my part of the South.

[eri]

The goldenrod is just starting here in central NC and there is lots of it. Thanks for the info about the dirty socks odor -- I hope my new package colony will get a good taste of it and now I know how to tell if they do! The normal hive odor is so deliciously heady and sweet I can still smell it for a while after an inspection.

[Michael Bush]

Goldenrod and asters bloom at the same time here, so I can't tell for sure, but it always happens when they both are in bloom. Once it's ripe it tastes fine.