powdered sugar--buy it or make your own?

twb · August 25, 2007, 09:22:29 PM

I currently make my own powdered sugar with the blender out of granulated, but I am usually not satisfied that it is powdery enough. I have heard store bought powdered sugar has an ingredient that is not good for the bees to ingest. Do you know of a type of powdered sugar that can be purchased and is not harmful to the bees?

rdy-b · August 25, 2007, 10:06:07 PM

what are you doing with it meds or something else RDY-B

twb · August 25, 2007, 10:20:35 PM

I use it for varroa treatments

rdy-b · August 25, 2007, 10:42:31 PM

they cant be ingesting that much can they :-\ RDY-B

Cindi · August 26, 2007, 12:09:36 AM

TWB. YOu said that you "heard" it has an ingredient that could be harmful to the bees. What ingredient is that? Look at the contents. I would suppose that the American powdered sugar is the same as Canadian. I have used "Rogers" powdered sugar.

I sometimes make my own powdered sugar, they do indicate that the more powdery the better. I have a blender type apparatus that is called a "Bamix". It is similar in nature to what is known as a "Braun", but in my opinion superior in every way. That makes granulated sugar powdered to a puff (it can also puff ice into slushy stuff without any liquid added to it, yeah!!! great for smoothies).

I would certainly check out what ingredient in powdered sugar that could be harmful to bees would be. I don't really think that they inject enough of it anyways. When you are performing a powdered sugar treatment, the bees are way more concerned in try to rub this fluffy stuff off than eating it, it causes them to be irritated and they brush themselves heavily. Hmmm...my two cents. Look at the ingredients, then make an informed decision. Have a wonderful day, greatest of life. Cindi

rdy-b · August 26, 2007, 12:41:30 AM

I think he might be talking about the corn starch . or somthing more serious.remember this one http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=10711.0 8-) RDY-B

Cindi · August 26, 2007, 12:48:14 AM

RDY-B. Missed that posting, thanks for bringing it forward, pretty interesting comments. Have a wonderful day, fabulous life. Cindi

twb · August 26, 2007, 12:55:10 PM

I found my notes from a beek meeting I attended and found that, yes, it is the corn starch you want to avoid in powdered sugar used for varroa treatments. I am sorry I did not write down WHY but you all probably already know why. I guess I will keep making it out of granulated in the blender until I see some for sale without corn starch or other anti-clumping agent. Thank you all for your thoughts and comments.

annette · August 26, 2007, 01:46:37 PM

I use the store bought powdered sugar with cornstarch. I have never heard anything about this being bad for the bees?? So far, my bees are doing great even with all the powdered sugar dusting I have done to them. I did hear that some larvae might expire due to the powdered sugar(and never heard this is caused by the cornstarch) but heard the benefits outway the few larvae that may expire.

Would like to hear more about this. This is my main form of varroa removal.

Annette

Brian D. Bray · August 27, 2007, 12:15:30 AM

Powered sugar is recommed because it is plentiful and the bees can enject it, mix it with water and make a honey out of it. The corn starch is more like an inert ingrediant that keeps the sugar from packing or clumping which actually improves the effectiveness of the powdered sugar.
You can also use Talcum powder, pure corn startch, or flour in the dowd method. The idea is that the powder interfers with the mites ability to hold onto its host so it slides and slips off. the inert ingrediants are a non-factor.

Consider such powder applications like graphite or grease--you're applying a substance that lubricates so that other things can bind or attach themselves.

rdy-b · August 27, 2007, 12:32:12 AM

You have to be careful what you use because you will be affecting the LARVE powdered sugar will blend with bee milk (ROYAL JELLY) 100% cornstarch or talc will dry out the LARVE and kill them the bees will clean them out. the only time most beekeepers worry about the corn starch in the sugar is when feeding with meds or some type of emergency feeding the corn starch is said to plug up the bees most times these applications are made spring and fall the bees are still flying so they do not suffer the problems of being bound in cluster in winter months ;) RDY-B