Mold in sugar Syrup

[JMN]

Would anybody have an idea on how to prevent mold growing in the syrup?  I have this recurring problem of mold growing in the top feeder I'm using for new hives and also if I store the syrup in a closed container for a few days.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

JNM

[Kirk-o]

No I don't worry about that
kirk

[doak]

I make my syrup up as needed. I use the type feeder that goes in where the frames fit.
They take up the feed before it has time for any of that stuff to develope.
doak

[Kathyp]

if you make extra, store it in the freezer.  they don't seem to mind a little mold, but i toss mine if it gets to bad.  

[Moonshae]

Pour less in at a given time and add more as needed. Clean regularly. I had the same issue when I started my hives...mold started growing on the few bees that somehow figured out how to get in and drown themselves. I found that using less and adding when it got low was much better than just letting a gallon sit there, day in, day out. Plus, it was a lot easier to move off when I wanted to inspect when there was less liquid there to spill.

[Michael Bush]

>Would anybody have an idea on how to prevent mold growing in the syrup? 

Clean the feeder out with distilled vinegar.  You can add some vitamin C to the syrup.  You can add some HBH to the syrup.  You can make less syrup at a time.

[kensfarm]

You can add some HBH to the syrup.

I agree.. the HoneyBeeHealthy really helps sugar water from getting moldy.

[JMN]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.  I think I'll start with the HBH first and follow up with the other suggestions.  I am starting a couple more hives and I want to feed them, so they'll build up faster. 

Thanks again to all.  JNM

[Brian D. Bray]

I always add a little cider vinegar to the syrup.  I find it changes the PH so the mold is slower to grow or develop in the feeder if the bees don't take it right away.