Live & learn!

[Rodni73]

When I installed my bees I added a top feeder filled with three gallon of medicated syrup! In 10 days the bees drank about 2 gallons leaving a gallon behind.  Now the sugar water is fermenting and mold is all over it... You can even smell it from outside the hive.  Thus, today I will remove the top feeder and wash it well... Then use dry sugar instead and mega bee pollen patties in it.  What I learn is that for a starting colony dry sugar is easier and less messy to work with.  Any other suggestions?

[dpence]

Try putting a teaspoon of vinegar / gallon in the sugar water, helps reduce fermentation some and I have heard it inverts the sugar. 

David

[bassman1977]

What I learn is that for a starting colony dry sugar is easier and less messy to work with.

I'd be surprised if they take it.  I think dry sugar (or a fondant) is more suited for winter emergency feeding.  I wouldn't be surprised to find that they will either ignore it or trash it.  I would stick to the syrup if you must feed at all.

[Bennettoid]

Give them less syrup and check it more often.

[Moonshae]

You can also pick up some Honey B Healthy and mix it in according to the instructions (1 tsp/gal, I think). That does a great job of preserving the syrup, and is made of all natural essential oils that the bees enjoy.