Cider vinegar in syrup

Mklangelo · October 06, 2008, 03:05:05 PM

1 tsp per gallon I understand makes it more enticing and works somewhat against nosema. OK. But can I add the vinegar to cold syrup?

I have a batch of syrup already made.

Thanks!

poka-bee · October 06, 2008, 03:36:02 PM

I put it in the cooled vinegar. I only have the Braggs unfiltered raw vinegar though & think that the heat would kill the "mother" in it. Heat changes the chemical composition in many things so not being a chemist or math whiz it's safest for me to keep things close to what they are! Others more knowledgable may have different opinions. J.

greg spike · October 06, 2008, 04:14:08 PM

Should be fine, unless you plan on keeping it on a shelf for months, vinegar fungi are pretty sluggish, and live cultures may even help bee GI problems if they have rampant nosema.

Btw, I use lemon juice. No real empirically data that it works against nosema(just like vinegar), but if it does its probably a function of the lowered acidity.
Also vitamin c is important for brood rearing. It occurs naturally in nectar from .5 to 4%.

Got that from "Biology of the Honey Bee" by a guy named Winston. One of the few bee books I've found with footnotes, and references.

bmacior · October 06, 2008, 08:14:17 PM

I put it in cold syrup, but the amount I read (and use) was 1 tsp per qt. Bees take it fine.

Brian D. Bray · October 06, 2008, 09:17:22 PM

Quote from: bmacior on October 06, 2008, 08:14:17 PM
I put it in cold syrup, but the amount I read (and use) was 1 tsp per qt. Bees take it fine.

1 tsp per quart is fine, I use 1 tbsp per gallon. The vinegar, lemon juice, Honey B Healthy, Lemon Grass Oil, etc alters the acidity of the syrup to closer match natural nectar. The additives also seem to make it more attractive to the bees due to added odors, vitamins, and other nutrients.

Colder weather requires thinner syrup which is why 1:1 is used in the spring as the bees come out of cluster. As the feeding is done later into the fall and winter the change needs to be made from 2:1 to 5:3 to 1.5:1 back to 1:1 for the bees to keep taking it.

Mklangelo · October 06, 2008, 10:43:59 PM

I'm using 2:1 laced with FB. So I'm OK adding the store brand Apple Cider Vinegar @ 1tsp/gallon? They are gobbling it up pretty good straight by the way. We're hitting at least 50F here in the days so 2:1 is working right now.

Can I dilute to 5:3 as temps go below 55F or so in the daytime?

Brian D. Bray · October 06, 2008, 11:14:00 PM

Quote from: Mklangelo on October 06, 2008, 10:43:59 PM
I'm using 2:1 laced with FB. So I'm OK adding the store brand Apple Cider Vinegar @ 1tsp/gallon? They are gobbling it up pretty good straight by the way. We're hitting at least 50F here in the days so 2:1 is working right now.

Can I dilute to 5:3 as temps go below 55F or so in the daytime?

Yes, as I stated, the lower the temp the thicker the syrup gets so as the temps drop the ratio (thickness) of sugar to water must be lessened in order for the bees to keep taking it. 1 Tablespoon per gallon, or up to 1 tsp per quart (2 tbsp per gallon).

Cindi · October 06, 2008, 11:44:58 PM

Quote from: gspike on October 06, 2008, 04:14:08 PM
Got that from "Biology of the Honey Bee" by a guy named Winston. One of the few bee books I've found with footnotes, and references.

One of the best and intricate books I have ever read (twice) and also own, I am a fan of Mark Winston, hee, hee. Have the most beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi